Global strategy gone astray: Maersk's big box boats and the world shipping industry

Abstract

A.P. Moller-Maersk Group (A.P. Moller-Maersk AS in Danish), commonly known as Maersk, is the world's largest global shipping conglomerate from Denmark and carries a rich history and corporate heritage in the industry. The company operates large container ships which are mostly known as "big box boats" in the industry. By using interdisciplinary literature and the shipping industry's operational routes and corporate developments, this case-based research analyzes and discusses Maersk's internationalization and its global strategies. Although Maersk aggressively sought internationalization and company-specific expansion, its global strategy and international expansion areas have encountered problems because of the slowdown of the global economy, de-globalization, and the U.S.-China trade tussle. The case-based research analyzes and discusses these issues within the areas of international business and the company's global strategies and industry-specific competition. Analystsand industry observers believe that Maersk will continue to be a major shipping and logistics firm and will thrive in global markets. At the same time, the company will be impacted by the changing competition, regulatory forces, and new technologies in logistics and global shipping. This case study also provides future developments and growth prospects of Maersk and the shipping industry. K E Y W O R D Scontainerization, containers, global strategy, Maersk, shipping industry

A Method of Increasing the Accuracy of Radar Distance Measurement in VTS Systems for Vessels with Very Large Dimensions

“…The authors became interested in the problem of the quality of the radar observations used, e.g., measured radar distances to echoes, which are generated by very large vessels, e.g., MAERSK class container vessels [10]. Earlier publications, e.g., [11], defined the problem of radar distance measurement error using VTS edge radars, and, in order to eliminate it, approximation of the shape of the vessel's hull with two geometric figures, a half ellipse and a rectangle, was proposed.…”

The path to the construction of a domestic and international dual cycle of China’s shipping industry

“…Third, the development of the PRC's shipping industry is also in face of a myriad of uncertain factors and challenges, including the uncertainty of the global economic and trade situation, and the fierce competition between domestic and foreign shipping companies (Anwar, 2019;Huang et al, 2020). Particularly, various trade protection measures implemented under the pretext of "fair trade" has brought huge challenges to the shipping industry.…”

Uncertainty, status-based homophily, versatility, repeat exchange and social exchange in the container shipping industry

“…Container shipping is a two-tiered industry, where operators like Maersk Lines offer their transport service of mostly containerised cargo on a regular basis, with several port calls en route following a fixed schedule announced in advance, to shippers on the buyer's side of the transport market (Anwar, 2020;Rodrigue, 2020). Shippers are from various other industries, spanning agriculture and food products, consumer goods and others.…”

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