While shipping companies will still reap revenue from carrying containers, the rise of the forwarders will diminish their bargaining power over rates, according to a Danish analyst. It also means the shipping lines will have to better target the forwarders, which could soon hold sway over more than half their income.
“Freight forwarders are a large part of our business and it’s absolutely important that we produce solutions that are attractive to both forwarders and cargo owners,” said a Maersk executive.
Maersk Line is responding by overhauling a business model that has barely changed in 35 years and swamps clients with paperwork, the Copenhagen-based company said.