New insights into the ferry business in the turbulent environment

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of the article is to analyse the challenges faced by the ferry operators and discuss what activities they take when operating in a turbulent environment resulted from COVID-19 pandemic and effects of economic situation of the Baltic States.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Several research methods were applied, literature review, data exploration method, desk research and in-depth interviews.

FINDINGS: Research revealed lack of current publications on ferry business activity in the context of dynamic and changing drivers influencing the ferry shipowners during last three years.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The article emphasizes that the activities undertaken by the ferry operators allow to operate despite the negative external factors and what should be undertaken to minimalize the adverse effects.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The literature researching the ferry shipping is not extensive, it includes a relatively small number of scientific articles and monographs. Most of the research concerns the last decade. However, there are no current studies on the functioning of the ferry sector, the activity of which in the last three years was significantly influenced by changes that occurred in the external environment. The article fills the research gap in the ferry sector studies.