Strategist Column

GreenPort Congress	World Ports Conference	Coastlink Conference

GreenPort Congress is a meeting place for the port community to discuss and learn the latest in sustainable environmental practice. It offers ways to reduce their carbon foot print and be more sensitive to environmental considerations, both of which are vital to future success.	The annual World Ports Conference brings together global port leaders and key stakeholders from the shipping sectors to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the maritime industry. This year’s #IAPH2026 will be held in London, UK, offering a programme of plenary, breakout and workshop sessions and a gala dinner celebrating the IAPH Sustainability Awards.	Coastlink is a neutral pan-European network dedicated to the promotion of short sea and feeder shipping, and the intermodal transport networks through the ports that support the sector. It is a place for industry professionals to meet and discuss future innovation, economic and environmental considerations – and develop partnerships that will help build a sustainable future.
Visit the GPC Website	Visit the WPC Website	Visit the Coastlink Website

Here we are seemingly with the natural order of things collapsing around us. Trade is on the slide, contracts are being broken, freight rates are heading south, ships are being mothballed, terminal operators are walking away from concessions and the number of company failures is accelerating. Doom and gloom! Or is it?

As the old saying goes, "the other side of a problem is an opportunity" and for at least some parties the current climate may prove to be the land of opportunity.

One current example of this is the current sale of the Dragados logistics business which includes a mixed portfolio of port assets, the jewel in the crown of these being the Maritima Valenciana container terminal in Valencia, Spain.

ACS, owner of Dragados, has large debts to service, substantial financial commitments down the line and like other construction interests in Spain is facing negative market prospects hence its decision to sell the Dragados logistics business is to a large extent a pragmatic one. It needs the cash.

In turn, this presents those with cash with an opportunity. In Dragados' case this is one of three finalists selected for the sale - two infrastructure funds and one international group with a multi-sector transport focused business which contains a strong ports element.

This sort of scenario is increasingly likely to be played out over the next 12 to 24 months. Expect at least one or two major container lines to go to the wall. Result - further industry consolidation? This is a distinct possibility but so to is the prospect of both major and niche new container lines being born. Acquiring modern ships at bargain basement prices, as a result of other parties misfortunes, offers the required foundation stone for new players to enter the container shipping market - players that will operate off a much more economic cost base.

So time for another self-invented saying, "one man's pain is another man's gain" and it is those parties with cash and an eye for a bargain that may yet look back upon this era of recession with a satisfied smile. And as for the bargains well the best is yet to come!