Newsweek #51: Repair your rail in December; in July your sledge remember

Many have already predicted that the coming year will be transformative for all modes, and the current state of affairs gives clear hints that rail will be the first on the list experiencing it, while shipping and airfreight sectors are battling never-ending congestion and cosmic rates. Metamorphosis will occur not only thanks to the already occurring changes such as introduction of the new services and grants for the development of new facilities but also if the EU will take the reign in its hands and shift China on the pedestal of the New Silk Road champion. However, this mission will not be easy to crack especially since China-Europe route remains the busiest in handling TEU.

Another forecast that we can see unfolding these days is the reconsideration of supplier relationships by many players. Near-shoring is becoming a new trend with European companies switching their focus to the east, and the US ones concentrating on Latin America. As costs keep increasing, it seems to be the only strategy that could secure a competitive position of the companies. Since MSC has outrun Maersk with the size of its fleet, will the size of the assets no longer be a battling ground for competition? What other predictions will come true and how are the new rules going to affect the market? Follow the updates on MAXMODAL.