GEFCO at the 5th International Container Shipping Market Conference

Anna Andreeva, Head of Logistics Solutions Development at GEFCO Russia, presented a report at the panel discussion “Container shipping market: How to grow during a downturn?”

In her speech, “Position of Operator and Freight Forwarder: How to Act in Difficult Economic and Geopolitical Conditions? How to Attract Shippers?”, the speaker presented a comprehensive view of the current situation and outlined specific tools for the sustainable development of the logistics business in times of turbulence.

Anna Andreeva noted that the era of simple transportation is over: in conditions of extreme instability caused by geopolitical factors, market participants have to look for new footholds. Today, customers choose carriers not for low rates but for the speed of commercial response and service.

The key takeaway of the speech: in 2026, multimodal transportation becomes not just an alternative but a strategic foundation for sustainable supply chains. GEFCO sees a growth point in the ability to combine modes of transport to meet the customer's specific needs—sea for long hauls, railway for medium hauls, and car fleet for the final mile. This approach allows us to offer the market a solution that is cheaper than a road-only transport and faster than a sea-only transport.

The speaker placed special emphasis on changing the sales model: “Shippers choose not the cheapest carriers, but the carriers who offer the rates faster, guarantee deadlines, and take on the problems.” The Caspian region, land corridors through Central Asia and the Far East, and growing niches such as agricultural exports, containerized cargo from China, and e-commerce were identified as priority areas for attracting shippers.

The report also touched upon the topic of digitalization. Given the mandatory transition to electronic shipping documents from September 1, 2026, logistics operators are prioritizing technological solutions—from automated routing systems to predictive analytics—as a prerequisite for competitive advantage and a tool for improving customer service.