Time Pressure

Time pressure is at the heart of many shipping incidents.   The reason for this is to a great extent embedded in the business model.

Time pressure is at the heart of many shipping incidents.   The reason for this is to a great extent embedded in the business model.

The position of shipping at the heart of the global supply chain means that any attempts to optimise that supply chain affects ships.   Removing margins in shore manufacturing and distribution systems to reduce stockholding costs increases pressure on ships to deliver precisely on time despite the shipowner having to deal with the unpredictable nature of sea transport.  Punitive contracts may reinforce this.

The shipowner may also desire to use the ship more efficiently putting pressure on operations and maintenance. 

Finally, those onboard may perceive time pressure and consequently take decisions based on an implicit rather than  explicit requirements.

The nature of the supply chain, especially in a period of economic uncertainty, is such that ‘optimisation’ of the supply chain is progressive and time pressure is likely to increase.   Any consideration of time pressure has to include not just the problems of increasing time pressure but dealing with that which is already there.

This paper looks at what time pressure is and what drives it.   It includes some examples of incidents worthy of discussion.  It also includes some concepts that may be helpful in combatting time pressure.