Gulftainer CEO calls for collaboration
Greater collaboration in the maritime industry could turn challenges into opportunities, the group chief executive officer of Gulftainer has said.
Speaking to The Maritime Standard, Peter Richards said dialogue for collaboration in the shipping industry has traditionally been relatively limited, and the relationship between port operators has been based on positive co-existence rather than meaningful cooperation.
He stressed: “The maritime industry has witnessed a great number of challenges, from the overcapacity of vessels, caused by the slow growth in global trade, to ever-changing alliances. Low energy prices, in addition to political instability in the Middle East and Europe, have also adversely impacted the sector.
“However, there is potential to transform these challenges into opportunities. The key lies in greater collaboration and stronger synergies. Within the UAE, the starting point for collaboration is initiating dialogue among industry players.”
Events potential
The Maritime Standard reported that Mr Richards believes that industry events can serve as collaborative platforms, encourage the sharing of practices and innovation strategies and boost the impact of existing initiatives.
Last year, Gulftainer co-hosted the Sharjah Business Summit, which brought together government representatives and industry professionals to spotlight innovative supply chain solutions.
Other projects benefitting from collaboration include Etihad Rail project and China’s US$900bn One Belt, One eRoad initiative. “The OBOR project calls for the revival of old trade routes, but under a new paradigm of innovation and collaboration, Mr Richards said.
He added that key trends within the ports, shipping and logistics sectors currently include a focus on integrated solutions that align with Gulftainer’s over-arching strategy. “These have massive potential for industry growth,” he suggested.