The study highlights the critical role of real-time tracking and visibility. 41% of respondents rank these among their top three supply chain priorities, surpassing cost efficiency (33%).
Belief in the broader benefits of digitalization is widespread:
82% of cargo owners believe it leads to higher customer satisfaction and improved customer experience.
81% expect significant reductions in operational costs.
86% agree that early digital adoption provides a competitive advantage.
Ocean carriers also recognize the value of digitalization in enhancing customer satisfaction and achieving competitive differentiation.
The survey reveals nuanced perspectives on the benefits of digitalization across different industry stakeholders.
For example, freight forwarders focus on enhancing communication and operational efficiency through real-time data.
Ports and terminals also prioritize eliminating manual processing and human interaction through data integration, while banks emphasize fraud prevention and risk reduction.
Key challenges identified in the survey include outdated infrastructure and a lack of proactive investment; resistance to change, particularly among older leadership demographics; lack of expertise and skilled personnel; and high costs and technical integration issues; data security concerns.
Despite the challenges, the survey finds that most organizations are actively pursuing digitalization with 90% of cargo owners believe their organizations are ready for digitalization.
Sixty-six percent acknowledge the need for external support, particularly regarding the compatibility of existing systems with digitalization requirements.
Regional variations exist, with France and Germany showing higher levels of readiness (78% and 72%, respectively) compared to the UK and the US (53%).
Digitalization is crucial for enhancing efficiency, improving customer satisfaction, and gaining a competitive edge in the container shipping industry.
It is because it provides real-time tracking and visibility are top priorities for cargo owners.
Industry-wide collaboration is essential for successful digital transformation.
Addressing challenges such as outdated infrastructure, resistance to change, and lack of expertise is critical for successful implementation, the survey said.
