Maritime Logistics Case Study

3 Identify the Major Changes in the External Context

Maritime Logistics is affected by external contexts and for the coal segment, the most important external context that influences changes and developments in the maritime logistics is by far the environmental aspect.

Coal is largely available and therefore significantly cheaper than other sources of energy. The counter side, however, is that it is extremely pollutive not only for its emissions but for the waste (ash) that it generates. Because there is an increasing aim to minimize emissions and greenhouse effect, all the other external events that have an impact on the maritime logistics of coal such as economic, policy, regulations and technologies are driven by the environmental aspect.

Coal makes big catastrophes to the atmosphere and health, and it is because it exudes lots of quantities of chemicals compounds to the air, water, and land such as mercury, uranium, thorium, arsenic and other heavy metals. A report issued by the World Health Organization, indicates that the coal particulates pollution is estimated to shorten approximately 1,000,000 lives annually worldwide (World Health Organization et al, 2011).

The maritime logistic chain would be affected because in the near future countries will demand less coal and in the long run a complete shift of product. . Due to the greenhouse effects coal burning produces, big consumers of coal like China and India will be forced to decrease their coal consumption. Such a dramatic change in the market will affect the efficiency of the supply chain in such countries, because of the great amounts of coal it is used to transport. Less demand will require less instruments in the maritime logistic chain like for example less vessels, less conveyors, smaller terminals, among others.

3.2 Technology

However, driven by the environmental impact that it causes, new sources of energy are increasingly becoming implemented especially in developed Countries. On the other hand, strong evidence suggests that becoming too reliant on natural gas poses numerous and complex risks, including persistent price volatility and rising global warming emissions. (The Natural Gas Gamble. A Risky Bet on America's Clean Energy Future, 2015)

From an International perspective, coal is one of the major raw materials that use maritime logistics and a complete shift of energy source would have a huge impact in the industry. A total shift would mean extremely expensive investments in ports to adapt or change its facilities to support this new