Lines need alliances in shore operations as well

CONFERENCE AGREEMENTS between shipping lines is not enough, James Cooper, director of SG Hambros Bank in London told delegates.
There will have to be alliances involving shore operations as well. The day of the mega operator is coming, he said.
Captain Tony Holland, regional manager of P&O Ports, said that while this notion might appear far-fetched at present, alliances between ship and terminal owners and operators with similar business philosophies could realise the benefits which a single firm could achieve, while spreading the risks involved.
We'll probably end up with six or seven shipping giants in the world. We can see this happening already and then it will make perfect sense that they will also own their own terminals in the ports.
Turning to the question of local requirements, Holland said that the major planning of future South African port capacity must concern the handling of unitised cargo, mainly containers.