This year’s Transpacific Maritime Conference (TPM23) brought together major players in the ocean shipping business who discussed multiple issues, including the current container shipping market, sustainability and the economic outlook for the years to come.
One of the topics raised was the strategy of MSC, the biggest carrier in the world, after it decided not to renew its 2M Alliance with Maersk. Speaking at the Journal of Commerce (JOC) TPM23 conference, MSC CEO Soren Toft said that his company is on a different “trajectory” than Maersk as they wind down their 2M Alliance.
The company’s commitment will be focused on ocean shipping first and foremost rather than adopting Maersk’s integrated supply chain strategy, Toft told JOC.
A press release issued by the carrier also noted that MSC “prefers to operate its own ships and will likely see the proportion of chartered tonnage in its fleet decline in the coming months, as well as sending some older ships to be recycled.”
Nevertheless, Toft stressed that “the company remains committed to long-term partnerships and investments that look far into the future.”
It was clear that MSC is very keen on thinking long-term to ensure that it continues to provide a resilient supply chain for its customers. “For us, it is about how we can build the next 53 years of history and not just the next quarter,” Toft commented.
A big part of the company’s plans will revolve around injecting billions of dollars to maintain the long-term partnership with its customers. This includes investments that will ensure the company’s growth, enhancing the fleet and developing productive container terminals, says the carrier.
About his outlook for the future, Toft noted, “the world will continue to be globalized, but with a more distributed supply chain.” According to MSC, container shipping will serve as the bedrock for the growth of international trade and commerce despite the disruptions of COVID and geopolitical factors.
