Case Study

APU Terminals (A): Putting safety on the map

6 pages
June 2014
Reference: IMD-7-1520

APM Terminals is the operationally independent subsidiary of AP Maersk, the largest shipping company in the world. The company was created in the late 1990’s and grew, both organically and through acquisitions, from 12 to nearly 60 terminals worldwide. The industry is historically considered as dangerous and fatalities are considered an unavoidable part of “the cost of doing business”. This case looks at the first part of the 21st century and how the rapidly growing APMT attempts to bring some consistency to the safety procedures of terminals under its management in widely different cultural environments, in an attempt to bring down the number of casualties and serious injuries in the workplace. It shows the decisions that prevented the initiative from reaching the level of success that it was set up to accomplish.

Learning Objective

To understand how an industry or company culture can affect operational issues. To recognize the shortcomings of a gradual approach in some cultural situations.

Keywords
Change Management, Leadership, Safety, Port, Operations, Shipping, Corporate Culture
Settings
World/global, Netherlands
APM Terminals, Logistics and Supply Chain, Shipping
2006-2014
Type
Field Research
Copyright
© 2014
Available Languages
English
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This case study is part of a series
  • APU Terminals (A): Putting safety on the map
  • APU Terminals (B): The safety activist
This case study is part of a series
  • APU Terminals (A): Putting safety on the map
  • APU Terminals (B): The safety activist
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APU Terminals (A): Putting safety on the map
By Bettina Büchel and Luis Vivanco
Case reference: IMD-7-1520 ©2014
Summary
APM Terminals is the operationally independent subsidiary of AP Maersk, the largest shipping company in the world. The company was created in the l...
Reference IMD-7-1520
Copyright ©2014
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization APM Terminals
Industry Logistics and Supply Chain, Shipping
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

APU Terminals (B): The safety activist
By Bettina Büchel and Luis Vivanco
Case reference: IMD-7-1521 ©2014
Summary
After having made two attempts under different leaders to place safety as a key issue in the port operations of APMT, a new and more drastic approa...
Reference IMD-7-1521
Copyright ©2014
Copyright owner IMD Copyright
Organization APM Terminals
Industry Logistics and Supply Chain, Shipping
Available Languages English
Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications