Jun 29 | 2022
Industry Post-Covid Has Much to Say, Much to Do
Foreword: Breakbulk Europe’s return as a live, in-person event in Rotterdam May 17-19 was an emotional setting for an industry whose challenges and setbacks have been running high for years.Talking casually one day before the event’s kickoff at the Rotterdam Ahoy, one carrier executive predicted that exhibitors and attendees would “smoke a lot, drink a lot and hug a lot.”
And so it happened.
Business was conducted. Issues were debated and explored in content sessions, in meeting rooms and lounges and on the sidelines of Ahoy’s sprawling corridors. But there was also a sense of celebration and relief, of engagement and – dare I say – optimism that’s been missing since the start of the pandemic.
With the conclusion of Breakbulk Europe, we completed the cycle – the first successful run of Breakbulk’s cycle of events – Americas, Middle East and Europe – since 2019. And as summer rolls on, we look forward once again to returning to Houston for Breakbulk America. The industry is in a far different place than it was in 2019. Though some issues are similar, there are the additional layers of the pandemic, war in Ukraine, political upheaval, climate and energy transition.
During these gatherings, executives are talking about businesses being more proactive, more engaged and working “across the aisle,” creating a new culture of partnership over adversary. Some speak almost in surprise or awe that each side sees value, real benefit and productivity. Muted is the pessimism of years past.
Maybe this was borne in those first Covid-era Teams calls with customers and clients. In the early days following March 2020, in conversations with people navigating dealing remotely, those calls would open with “How are you, really,” in sincere interest and concern. Becoming closer in the period of social distancing; who’d of thought?
Best of Times
From growing closer, now the industry recognizes its need to reach out. The “talent gap” has become more recognized in recent years, but with an exodus from the industry due to age, downturns and the Great Resignation, it has become a steady drumbeat across industry sessions and initiatives. (To note, it has been more than seven years since Breakbulk magazine first sought to point out the next generation of talent – dubbed “The New Blood” then (March-April 2015) and “NextGen” in Issue 6 2019).
During a Teams call among panelists for the Talent Gap session at the Rotterdam event (see page 12), a reporter made the observation, “Is there not a better time to be in the breakbulk and project logistics industry?”
Speaking with panelists Ben Liggins of JB Andrews and Christel Pullens, of Sea Ranger Service, before their session, they agreed that the question further colored their discussion. For a business often seen as dull, behind-the-times and old fashioned, the current environment is among the most challenging breakbulk and project purveyors have experienced.
The next step for an industry showing strides to join together is to actively reach out, invite potential talent in and mentor them into the next generation of leaders. Evidenced during the sessions at Breakbulk Europe’s successful Education Day, students are interested, eager to learn and engaged with industry representatives.
When you reach out, don’t forget to ask: “How are you, really?”
Gary Burrows has coverd the international has managed two leading-edge suplly chain publications publications focusing on supply chain, for more than three decades.
