From losses to profits: how Global Ocean Link is developing in the container shipping industry

Global Ocean Link is a player in the logistics and container shipping market. The company has been operating in this field for over 10 years and has a team of more than 150 specialists. Understanding market trends and the demand for innovative solutions, Global Ocean Link facilitates interaction between Ukrainian and European businesses.

Among the company’s previous projects is the launch of intermodal trailer transportation within the EU. During the period of complete border closures with Poland, this became almost the only solution that significantly reduced delivery times. However, this is just one of the company’s current solutions, as it relentlessly continues to move forward. What achievements has Global Ocean Link made, and in what direction is it building its future? Find out in this article.

 

Achievements without fanfare

The full-scale Russian invasion has had a significant impact on Global Ocean Link’s operations, as it has on any company operating in the freight forwarding industry. When the potential and resources are large, it is much more difficult to preserve them in the conditions of military aggression, the forced restructuring of logistics chains and the permanent need for a competent response to challenges.

One of the examples of such a successful response to challenges is the launch of the direction of contra-rail transportation to the EU in response to the blocking of the Polish-Ukrainian borders by Polish protesters. Trailer transportation is one of the progressive logistics technologies: when loaded trucks or semi-trailers are transported to them on special platforms.

This experience shows that Global Ocean Link can develop creative and powerful logistics solutions when adapting to adverse conditions.

Relocation of employees, rebranding and moving forward

When the full-scale Russian invasion was just beginning, GOL carried out a partial relocation of the team within Ukrainian and international branches. This helped not only to retain key specialists, but also to transform the service line, which was enriched with new logistical solutions dictated by wartime circumstances. For example, this applies to the transportation of general and bulk cargoes by river and sea vessels.

The company’s general director Pavlo Lynnyk and commercial director Volodymyr Guz are convinced that difficult times are a reason to study the trends of your industry even more carefully and adapt them in your work. Even better, to stay ahead of the curve by offering innovative solutions to the market.

Pavlo Lynnyk and Volodymyr Guz, Global Ocean Link 

Both the management and the Global Ocean Link team are convinced that it is important to work not only on updating the service line, but also on the image of the company. Therefore, rebranding was carried out in 2023. This year, work continues on a new site that will meet all the requests of the industry and facilitate interaction between the company and customers. This is how the client’s electronic account will be implemented, which will help to obtain all cooperation documentation in an automated mode.

A powerful background as a basis for transformation

Of course, the company’s ability to confidently survive difficult times does not come from nowhere. This is preceded by a successful previous experience. Let’s remember the year 2021. It was then that the Global Ocean Link company became one of the first to use the “Mostysk” border crossing for handling containers. At that time, this work took place in test mode and took a lot of effort. However, the result was worth it. Even before the start of the full-scale invasion, the first rolling stock with containers was shipped to the Mostyska-2 station in the Lviv region. In the future, this logistics project will develop even more actively.

To realize this idea and transform it from an idea into a practical plane, complex work was carried out in several directions at once:

• Global Ocean Link team shared with local customs officials how to work efficiently with platforms and containers;
• conducted the Internet, so that in the context of organizational aspects, nothing would slow down;
• well-known rail operator PCC Intermodal SA, which specializes in working with shipping lines, was brought in after the start of the full-scale invasion.

This algorithm of actions helped to ensure high-quality and uninterrupted delivery of goods to the Polish ports of Gdynia and Gdańsk. If we draw a parallel between this project and the subsequent adaptability of the company already after the invasion, it becomes clear that timely and constructive responses to new challenges are based precisely on strong previous experience. The ability to see new opportunities and sufficient competence of the team to implement innovations.

By the way, later in the Lviv region, where the mentioned project was implemented, “Mostyska Dry Port” was opened. But GOL was the first of those who mastered work in this area, paving the way for all others.

Global Ocean Link team

Case in cooperation with UZ

The development of the GOL company is very rapid. Among the recent cases that testify to this are intermodal container trains with the participation of the railway – UZ Poland. As part of this project, 30 container trains have already been dispatched. Its implementation began in October 2023. Previously, no one worked like this, although the service was open. Thus, the GOL team was the first to test sending empty containers from Gdańsk to Odesa and Dnipro.

Risk management as a guarantee of responsibility

Last December, the company had an exemplary case that demonstrates how to respond to changing circumstances in business interactions. Therefore, the company submitted two container trains for the shipment of oil cargoes. However, the connection with the client disappeared. He was unable to pick up the cargo due to instability in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on ships. In order not to have large losses, the GOL team began to look for creative ways to solve problems.

At that moment, the client contacted and confirmed that it was not possible to pick up the cargo. So he clarified whether it was possible to find someone who would repurchase the cargo. The fact that the team includes numerous managers who know how to work with clients in a high-quality manner helped here. They communicated with those customers who might be interested in such a large oil cargo. And the client was found! Thereafter, the warehouses were turned towards him.

Subsequently, GOL was approached by the first client with whom cooperation took place and offered compensation. However, there was no need for it, given that proper communication and finding solutions helped avoid losses.

What does this case show? Firstly, it indicates such principles in the company’s work as:

• attention to proper professional training and professional development of personnel, thanks to which employees have sufficient competence to solve complex, unexpected and urgent tasks;
• in-depth understanding of the customer base and knowledge of the needs of various customers (this was the guarantee that a customer for a large volume of oil cargo was found);
• the ability to act not confused, but as coordinated and result-oriented as possible, regardless of the circumstances. Such principles can be traced not only in this, but also in other cases that were mentioned above. They are a guarantee that the GOL team is not afraid to take responsibility and take the initiative where the situation requires it.

The GOL team is not afraid to take responsibility and show initiative where the situation demands it

Innovation as a strategy, the company is actively engaged in the implementation of an electronic tracking system and robotics in document management. And the robotization of many processes in the accounting and legal departments is still ahead. This is not at all about the pursuit of innovation for the sake of a trend. The GOL team is strategically aimed at freeing qualified specialists as much as possible from routine tasks that can be handled by artificial intelligence. Giving them the opportunity to direct their forces and talents to important and creative directions where they cannot be replaced by a machine.”

Taking care of the most effective use of human labor is the priority set by the management of Global Ocean Link. It is not for nothing that brainstorming takes place within the team every week. Specialists consolidate efforts to find the most effective ways to achieve specific goals in the context of the company’s logistics activities.

From minus to plus

It will be quite logical to analyze what are the financial indicators of the company Global Ocean Link. The company ended the first year of the full-scale war with massive losses. They are measured in the sum of $300,000. One could stop here with thoughts about unfavorable times and numerous difficulties, but such a position is not about the Global Ocean Link company.

The management and the team considered how to reformat the use of available resources so that it would be more efficient. And everything succeeded. Last year, only about $150,000 in income taxes were paid. The company is proud of the fact that it works completely transparently, pays taxes conscientiously, and can present all the necessary documentation for each shipment.

Introduction of new training and effective search for specialists

Educational and educational work in its field is also one of the priorities of GOL. Thus, the company initiated and launched a free course for students called “Logistics: the path of professionals” with teaching from the most experienced specialists of the team. The course is permanent, and successful students are provided the opportunity of internship and employment in the company. Indeed, it is at training, where there is an opportunity for the closest possible professional interaction with testing and knowledge assessment, that you can see the level of specialists and replenish your team with professionals. So GOL does just that.

Therefore, it was not for nothing that Global Ocean Link was able to reach indicators that are so strikingly different from 2022 in the second year of a full-scale war. Such success has a concrete explanation and consists of a massive complex of factors. Including:

• the courage to anticipate industry trends and introduce innovations;
• the ability to learn from the experience gained in difficult times;
• an extensive structure of managers who keep close contact with customers and know their needs;
• ability to manage risks;
• full tax transparency and a responsible approach to legal issues;
• the ability to competently use available resources, multiplying them.

Today, Global Ocean Link already has offices not only in Ukraine, but also in Lithuania and Poland. The company is building a large container terminal in Odesa region. So further – only new horizons and achievements.