E-commerce And Social Media Activity Continues To Grow But ...

ShipServ, the leading maritime and offshore e-marketplace, has released the findings of its benchmark 2012 Internet and Social Media Use in Shipping Survey.

The 3rd annual survey looks at digital use in the shipping industry amongst leading shipowners, shipmanagers and major suppliers with the aim of building an understanding of how trends in business-to-business e-commerce and social media are impacting the maritime sector.

The results of this year?s survey show a continued general trend to increased internet activity through e-commerce with over 25% of companies surveyed now completing all their purchasing activity ? both sourcing and buying ? over the internet ? an increase of? 10% from 2011.

But a lack of understanding still exists about the use of the internet in the shipping industry and alarmingly over 40% of companies are not measuring the success of their activity in either an online or offline capacity.

The survey?s key findings were as follows:

• Many more maritime buyers and suppliers are using the internet to both source and transact, with significant (15%) increase in usage between 2011 and 2012;
• More than 40% of respondents said that they currently didn?t measure the success or otherwise of their internet activity;
• Respondents still think faster transaction speed was greatest benefit of doing business over internet and 80% think e-commerce use will grow over next 12 months;
• The use of social media platforms continues to grow with over 50% respondents increasing their use in last 12 months, but a quarter of respondents surveyed said they currently didn?t use social media in a business capacity;

• LinkedIn is the most popular social media platform for shipping companies and suppliers with 65% of respondents having a company profile

• 45% of respondents said senior management had little or no interest in social media

Mark Warner, Business Development Director, ShipServ, said:

?The use of the internet as a business tool to either advertise, source or buy maritime products and services has continued to grow as more companies become more familiar with using online as a purchasing medium.

However, it is noticeable from the survey that not all companies are actually measuring this activity, which seems bizarre given that analytical tools such as web analytics and purpose built dashboards such as ShipServ?s Supplier Insight Report can provide real insight into actual return on investment.?

The survey collected responses from executives from the world?s leading shipowners, managers and suppliers and included online and offline versions that were distributed at recent industry events such as SMM and IMPA.

In other key findings, the survey noted that social media use has increased, but doubts still remain over its use as a business tool with little backing from senior management.

Mr Warner said:

?In past surveys,? social media has often been described as a ?waste of time? but the last year has seen a real shift in opinion and this has been helped by noticeable campaigns by leading shipping companies such as Maersk and Teekay. However, there are still sceptics over the usefulness of social media in the industry and this is highlighted by a lack of support from senior management.?

The full results of the survey are now available as an infographic and can be downloaded atwww.shipserv.com/internet-use-survey-2012.

Source: http://marineinsight.com/news/e-commerce-and-social-media-activity-continues-to-grow-but-measurement-becomes-key-issue/

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