Tuesday 1st June - 10:00-11:30 BST
2020 saw the world brought to a standstill as countries across the globe tried to contain the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and as we write this early 2021, many countries are still battling to restrain the virus and return to a sense of economic and physical normality.
This new year is being approached with cautious optimism, knowing that there are many variants to navigate, including further disruption and additional national lockdowns. With disruption, not witnessed since the great depression of the 1930’s, inevitably maritime trade did decrease in 2020. Latest estimates from UNCTAD cite a 4.1% decline last year but point towards maritime trade growth by 4.8% in 2021. This is of course, subject to a smooth rollout of vaccines and a return of pre-COVID economic activity – but it is hard to predict how quickly the worldwide economy will be able to bounce back.
Adding further fuel to this fire is the new political landscape which presents new variables that will have a significant impact upon trade. The reality of Brexit and Joe Biden’s administration’s foreign policy agenda - especially the United States’ relations with China - will undoubtedly impact economic trade worldwide.
While governments across the globe have all pursued short-term recovery plans to navigate through this pandemic there are still medium and long-term challenges to be addressed including changing societal and demographic drivers which could result in potential new ‘shipping hubs’ in Africa by 2030 alongside significant changes in the supply chains in East Asia, affecting present trade routes.
What is the economic outlook of containerised shipping for the 2021-22 period?
The impact of COVID-19 and establishing where the industry currently sits on its road to recovery?
What challenges have Brexit presented in the first 6 months for the industry?
What impact have policies pursued by the Biden administration had upon worldwide economic trade?
What new ‘shipping hubs’ might arise from changing demographic drivers?
Accelerating digitalization and its impact on worldwide trade
The changing dynamic of the shipping vessel – the evolution from pursuing size towards sustainability
Rachael White, Content Director, TOC Events Worldwide
TRADE LOGISTICS IN TIMES OF COVID: LOCKING IN THE PROGRESS MADE DURING LOCK-DOWN Jan Hoffmann, Chief of Trade Logistics Branch, UNCTAD
THE RESHAPED LANDSCAPE OF LINER SHIPPING BEYOND 2021 Lars Jensen, CEO & Partner, Vespucci Maritime
YOUR ORDER HAS SHIPPED –AMAZONING THE MARITIME SUPPLY CHAIN Peter Levesque, President, Ports America
GLOBAL CONTAINER MARKET – PERFORMANCE AND PROSPECTS Eleanor Hadland, Senior Analyst – Ports & Terminals, Drewry
TRENDS IN THE MARITIME MARKET POST COVID – REVOLUTION OR BUSINESS AS USUAL? Indra Vonck, Leader Deloitte Port Advisory, Deloitte