Remote working: Shipping feels the absence of direct contact
Digitalisation and other technologies have enabled shipping companies to shift seamlessly to remote working, but bosses hope staff can be persuaded to return to the office once the pandemic recedes
The positives of lockdowns include more phone and video communications with customers as business travel slumps, but shipping companies in the container sector are finding it harder to win new accounts because of shipper preference to stay with familiar carriers, while other activities such as contract negotiations or staff recruitment have become more complicated