Global Container Shipping Operators’ Strategies Under the Extremely Turbulent Market Dynamic Environment: An Analytical Approach

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to identify and initially assess the effects of short and medium term strategies applied by global leading maritime container shipping operators during the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. The research questions have been as follows: 1. what enabled the global container carriers adoption of such aggressive pro-fiscal strategies aimed at maximizing their revenues and profits, 2. what have been the consequences of implementing these strategies within the global supply chains? Design/Methodology/Approach: There were applied such methods, as: critical literature review, desk research and data exploration as well the factors analysis (FA). Moreover, there were conducted interviews with shipping operators and forwarders in form typical for the Delphi method. Findings: The research clearly shows that the strategies of global container operators applied during the pandemic crises in the phase of rapidly growing demand for container carriage were strongly oriented on maximal exploring such an exceptional market opportunity. They have enabled the container carriers gaining huge revenues and profits to the detriment of other companies what caused serious deepening of already existed supply chains’ disruptions. Practical Implications: The findings and proposed recommendations may support the position of global shippers and forwarders in their complaints to international regulators against the block exemption of container consortia from general competition rules. They should also facilitate other actors of the global supply chains the proper evaluation and reaction on the choice of business models and operational strategies of leading container carriers. Originality/Value: Updated approach to the container shipping market's analysis, enabling: 1. better understanding of the functioning regulatory mechanisms in this shipping sector, 2. identification and elimination the contradictions existed between the public international regulatory system and the market one, 3. creation of a platform for efficient collaboration among actors in the global supply chains, aimed at restoring their full visibility and resilience.