The world’s largest liner Maersk Line has reportedly entered a ‘fleet deal’ with German bank Commerzbank with a plan for six containerships, according to Shipping Watch.
While the story remains unconfirmed by both Commerzbank and Maersk, the news continues a trend of major investment into shipbuilding.
South Korea, the world’s shipbuilding hub, has faced a long spell in the doldrums, yet despite increased competition from Japan and China, it is finally seeing some growth in the sector.
It was also recently announced that South Korea is to build up to 200 new ships in a drastic bid to reinvigorate its shipping sector.
Denmark-based Maersk Line is the world’s largest liner and has continuously pledged its commitment to being at the forefront of the most cutting-edge operations in the facilitation of global trade.
After recently partnering with IBM to develop blockchain, it also began a search for start-ups to inspire innovation in the supply chain.
Blockchain is a system in which different actors in the supply chain commit their data to an independent arbiter, i.e. a blockchain, which then allows the streamlining of disparate data flows into a much more efficient operation.
Collaboration, and the obstacles between achieving it, has long been a major issue in the global supply chain, with many key voices calling for it as the race to expedite trade flows continues.
Blockchain was originally seen as one of many ways to achieve collaboration, however since the involvement of Maersk and IBM it has been taken much more seriously.