All Bets Are Off in Today’s Global Supply Chain Arena

Each month The Stifel Logistics Confidence Index poses a“one-off question” in its survey. The responses are usually edifying, but the October version is even more satisfying, as it makes the query in two parts.

Citing the bankruptcy of Hanjin Shipping, the first part of the question asked which supply chain actors would suffer the most from the event. The second part of the question asked, in contrast, which supply chain actors would benefit the most.

In answer to the first of these questions, 45.0% stated that shippers stood to lose the most, versus 25.0% who responded that freight forwarders would lose more. Meanwhile, 11.3% each argued the case for container lessors and sea freight alliance partners, 2.5% stated rival sea carriers, and 5.0% contributed a number of other ‘losers'.

In response to the second question, a clear majority of participants (61.0%) stated that rival sea carriers would gain the most from the event, with 14% instead choosing air carriers as the primary beneficiaries.

Slightly fewer, 13%, stated alliance partners, while 5% answered freight forwarders, 4% shippers, 3% container lessors, and 1% other.

With so much volatility in the current marketplace, we maintain that all bets are off.

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