Most – if not all – people have learned that if you want to be innovative and creative one needs to “think outside the box”. Typically, these processes take time and huge investments as we also experience in the shipping sector with the focus on low carbon fuels/engines which is seen as the major solution for the journey to net-zero.
At V@RR we got triggered though by the concept of “thinking inside the box” which is based on trying to find solutions by using the existing building blocks only but apply different thinking than what had been done till now. The easiest way to reduce emissions from shipping – but probably too simplified as a true practical solution – is to ship less over shorter distances using as large as possible vessels that are fully utilized.
The journey towards net zero in transport & logistics might very well be a dual path that needs to be explored in parallel.
– “Thinking outside the box” is required to create the best new alternatives for the long term; the so called “enabling activities” which entail solutions towards low emission fuels using new technologies, fuels and infrastructure
– “Thinking inside the box” could be the (interim) solution by optimizing existing technology and circumstances; the so called “transitional activities” with the focus to optimize trade/logistics patterns while using the existing assets/technologies.
Both ways of thinking are likely required to reach net-zero in a timely fashion. In the mind of V@RR, thinking inside the box and focusing on energy/trade efficiency is required to bridge the coming 10-15 years. It has the potential to stay after that period as well as using less energy is always a winner no matter what source of energy used.
Thinking inside the box is not only to be seen as a metaphor though but could also be taken literally. This because of the many different trends that are happening more or less simultaneously at the moment which could very well result in a next era of containerization of commodities/cargoes that were long-time believed not suitable for container transportation.
In our blogs – and our platform setup – you will see us focusing more on inside the box thinking as we believe that outside the box thinking is covered a lot already. More importantly the inside the box thinking is what (the SME size) shipowners may need most in the coming 10+ years when they optimize the usage of existing assets.
Whether we think inside out or outside in we hope you will find our blogs interesting. We look forward to discussing matters further in writing or verbally while enjoying a (virtual) coffee.
