The use of military or private escorts could be considered to protect ships carrying cargo

Prioritize advanced communications. Leveraging advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence, is key for proactive risk management, allowing for the anticipation of disruptions and rapid response. Ships should become even more connected to each other, sharing locations and observations. Customers will also benefit from real-time updates on the progress of cargo.
Build inventories and storage. Companies need to plan for resilience, and may need to update or expand infrastructure, including port capacity or storage facilities. Reassessing the design and capacity of warehouses, for example, could help create a hedge around potential disruptions. As happened at the height of the COVID pandemic, companies and governments will need to assess their strategic priorities.
Step up contingency planning. Companies should examine how different bottlenecks may emerge or could be alleviated, and pinpoint specific areas where they are structurally exposed. Digital twins and modeling can help here. They can also look for existing points of redundancy in existing supply chains to free up capacity. Strengthening financial strategies, including comprehensive insurance and prudent financial planning is also vital to safeguard against the economic setbacks of unexpected logistical challenges. Pricing strategies may also need to be reconsidered in order to protect margins.