Page 20: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2022)

Supply Chain

WILL THE

CONTAINER

CARRIER

DEBACLE © Idanupong/AdobeStock

EVER END?

By Patrik Berglund, CEO and Co-Founder of Xeneta hen the global supply chain runs smoothly, chains back to full health, we must ? rst examine the potential it’s like a well-choreographed dance. Ev- roadblocks ahead. The following market insights outline the erything comes together elegantly and ef- factors that will impact efforts over the next 5-10 years.

fortlessly. But when someone misses a step, the show can quickly turn into a disaster.

W Where we are today

And that’s what’s currently unfolding before our eyes, head- Examining where things currently stand within the global line after headline. supply chain makes clear that COVID-related disruptions

Those of us in the supply chain industry know it takes a Her- combined with strong demand and other factors have resulted culean effort to keep the wheels of commerce turning without in port congestion, maxed-out capacity, and an overall imbal- so much as a squeak or rattle. And it’s going to take just that to ance in the shipping and receiving of goods. This has all re- get what Reuters cleverly coined as “Containergeddon” back sulted in some of the highest shipping rates on record.

on track. Short-term market indices have documented a 900%+ rate

To help shed some light on what it will take to get supply increase over the past year alone. In November2021, the Xe- 20 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • January 2022

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