A shared perspective is the key to resolving present and future demands arising from rapidly changing boundaries between RoRo and LoLo, the audience at this week’s Coastlink Insights webinar heard.
The webinar – one of several showcasing themes which will be further explored at the 24th Coastlink Conference in Hull on 6-7 May – discussed how short sea shipping’s RoRo and LoLo services are adapting to changes in trade patterns, customer expectations and operational pressures.
One of the speakers was Iain Barnett, Commercial Manager – Lead Unitised Cargo Development at ABP, who introduced the topic: “It feels we are often navigating a moving target. What is striking right now is how quickly the ground is shifting beneath us.
“The old lines between RoRo and LoLo, between modes and terminal operating models, just aren’t holding any more. The biggest shift I am seeing is how RoRo and LoLo are starting to meet in the middle.”
And he added: “The whole definition of ‘good service’ is shifting – it is becoming less about the shipping and more about the landside.
“This conversation is so important, not to settle anything today, but to build a shared view on what a resilient, future-ready, short sea network could look like.”
Chaired by Nick Lambert, Co-founder & Director of NLA International Ltd, the session also heard contributions from Graham Cross, Business Development Manager at Clarksons Port Services, and André Mast, Commercial Director at A2B-online.
Cross pointed out that Clarksons operate 19 ports across the UK and Netherlands, observing that they were evolving into “multipurpose energy and logistic hubs” to take account of vessels’ diverse fuel requirements and the increasingly hybrid RoRo/LoLo mix sought by customers seeking a flexible supply chain.
He added that oversize cargo, such as wind turbines, continued to have an impact on ports, roads and local infrastructure. Mast echoed the same point, noting that road congestion was a common factor and that A2B-online’s Moerdijk port also had connections to rail and canal routes.
The webinar met its goal in introducing the debate and outlining key issues, and a more detailed discussion with extended panels and in-person networking will be part of the Coastlink Conference programme in May, where stakeholders in ports, shipping lines, and cargo and shipping providers can explore the issues further – and hopefully arrive at a shared perspective.
Don’t miss out—book now and secure your discount before the Early Bird deadline on 27th March.
Click here for more information and how to book, or contact our delegate team at sales@coastlink.co.uk
