Challenges Facing the Container and Tanker Markets in an Era of Sustainability

By Peter Peltenburg, CEO, Cargo Care Solutions

The maritime industry’s push toward greener operations is accelerating, and with my company’s focus on the container and tanker markets, I see the challenges faced by ship owners who are working through this transition. There’s no question that decarbonisation, digitalisation, and a skilled-labour shortage are creating a challenging environment. Digital tools and AI will play a growing role in predictive maintenance and fleet optimisation, making operations more efficient. However, the human factor remains essential. Technology is a tool to support—not replace—the expertise and skills of technical professionals. By automating repetitive tasks, we can free up time and better leverage human expertise.

For shipowners and managers in the container market, the biggest challenge is balancing operational efficiency with safety and compliance. The lashing systems are extremely important as container vessels continue to grow in size and complexity; ensuring lashing systems are properly maintained and certified becomes even more critical. In the current container market—with its fluctuating freight rates and unpredictable cargo flows—it remains essential for operators to prioritise maintenance, even as they navigate increased pressure to control costs.

Shipowners and managers in the tanker market face the challenges of an inherently cyclical market, and this volatility can lead to reactive maintenance strategies, especially when vessels are laid up or operating below capacity. The challenge is that cargo pumps are critical to cargo operations—any failure can mean costly delays. The most successful tanker operators plan maintenance more strategically, regardless of where the tanker market is in its cycle.

Another factor for operators in both the container and tanker markets is ensuring they have the assets and support teams to expand globally. Asia continues to be a region of immense growth, especially Southeast Asia. With major shipyards, growing fleets, and a significant concentration of technical managers, the demand for quality aftermarket support is strong and expanding. We are seeing this firsthand with the growth of our offices in Shanghai and Singapore. We’re also seeing increased interest in the Middle East, where fleet expansion and the need for reliable lifecycle support are creating new opportunities.

Closer to home, we are embracing sustainability in another way: building a new headquarters near Rotterdam that involves green building technologies because sustainability is a core value at Cargo Care. Our new headquarters is being constructed with energy-efficient systems, solar panels, and smart building technologies that reduce environmental impact. We’re renovating an old historic building as part of the facility instead of building new, to optimise recycling building materials. For us, during our 40th year in business, supporting a greener maritime future starts with how we operate as a company. We believe environmental responsibility is not just good for the planet; it’s good business.