In a recent exclusive with Marketing In Asia, Glen Hilton, CEO & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, DP World, shed light on the compelling dynamics of their partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC). The key driving factors behind this collaboration were an aligned vision, a relentless pursuit of innovation, and an extensive global network.
Key Factors Behind ICC Choosing DP World as Their Official Global Logistics Partner
Hilton shared that the partnership with the ICC has its roots in a shared vision of propagating cricket on a global scale. The partnership is an amalgamation of the dynamism of cricket and DP World’s ceaseless drive for innovation. This synchronisation of purpose aids in creating a cricketing environment that is both engaging and universally accessible.
Bespoke Logistics Solutions in Play
When queried about the tailor-made logistics solutions that DP World plans to introduce, Hilton elaborated on how the company’s global presence in 75 countries across six continents would help meet ICC’s burgeoning logistical requirements. He highlighted the company’s smart logistics and vast global network that could handle the logistical needs of the ICC’s operations worldwide.
DP World’s expertise in smart logistics and extensive global network will provide significant support to the ICC’s growing logistics needs across their global operations. From supporting in the organisation of international tournaments to ensuring a seamless flow of equipment and infrastructure through our logistics solutions, DP World will enhance the efficiency of cricket’s global events and help deliver cricket to people all around the world.
Glen Hilton, CEO & Managing Director, Asia Pacific, DP World
Enhancing Spectator Experience at ICC Events
Owning the match ball delivery moment in cricket parallels the DP World strategy of facilitating end-to-end global trade. Hilton shared that this was an embodiment of DP World’s core business – the seamless movement of goods and materials across the supply chain. Besides, he expressed that they intend to use technology to improve the cricketing experience for fans.
Through a series of digital and experiential initiatives co-created with the ICC, we intend to further enhance the cricketing experience and engage fans in innovative ways, creating memorable moments that resonate with audiences worldwide.
Hilton
Strengthening the Bond between Local Communities and Cricket
The collaboration with the ICC emphasises inclusivity and diversity in cricket. Hilton believes in cricket’s accessibility to everyone, which fuels their aim of breaking down barriers and ensuring cricket reaches underserved communities. He shared how their partnership would shine a spotlight on local talents through the ICC’s criiio cricket programme.
Adapting Logistical Operations for Future World Cups
In the rapidly globalizing world of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) plans to break new ground by expanding its event footprint to countries such as the USA and Namibia. This expansion will usher in a new era for the sport, allowing it to reach new audiences and communities. But such expansion also presents a myriad of logistical challenges. However, Hilton is undeterred by these challenges. He shared how DP World, with its broad logistical operations and extensive global network, is more than equipped to cater to the ICC’s evolving global event landscape.
He stated, “DP World caters to the ICC’s growing global event footprint. We see countries such as India, the USA, and Namibia, who are set to host future World Cups, as great platforms to reach new audiences and communities. At the same time, and with the adoption of the popular T20 format across associate nations, we will continue to work with the ICC to grow our global presence there.”
He further explained how the company plans to tailor its logistics solutions to cater to these strategic locations, marrying the spirit of hard work and performance seen in the sport with business efficiency and continuous innovation.
Beyond this, DP World is in a unique position due to its global network of over 350 business units spread across 75 countries on six continents. This gives them a strong presence across the ICC’s event footprint. Their business, which spans across four key pillars – Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – enables them to offer end-to-end solutions and the scale of their global business seamlessly through a single point of contact.
Hilton cited an example, “In 2019, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Namibia’s Nara Namib Free Economic Industrial Zone to develop a free economic zone in Walvis Bay to support the growth of Namibia as a regional hub for Southern Africa – and the ability to increase the scale of our support and tailor them to suit the needs of ICC and the cricketing community.”
In the Asia Pacific region, DP World operates an extensive network comprising 17 ports and terminals across several countries, such as Australia, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. By leveraging technology and innovation, they have built solutions that solve the challenges facing their customers through driving efficiency.
One such example is the BOXBAY high-bay storage system, a fully automated system that Hilton sees as a key innovation. “The revolutionary system, which will be rolled out at our PNC terminal in Busan, South Korea, is fully automated, reducing truck servicing time by 20% and eliminating 350,000 unproductive container moves each year.”
Enhancing Efficiency of Cricket’s Global Events
With its logistical capabilities accounting for 10% of global trade, DP World aims to enhance the efficiency of global cricket events. Hilton shared that DP World’s integrated multimodal logistics capabilities would ensure seamless trade around the world, in turn delivering cricket to people worldwide.
Anticipated Challenges and Opportunities
As the strategic partnership between DP World and the International Cricket Council (ICC) evolves, there are both exciting opportunities and potential challenges on the horizon. Addressing these, Glen Hilton shared his perspective on what lies ahead.
The primary opportunity Hilton identified is fostering stronger connections between local communities and the global game of cricket. By actively engaging with local communities, supporting grassroots initiatives, and promoting accessibility and inclusivity, DP World and the ICC can create a lasting positive social impact. This partnership can strengthen the bond between cricket and the communities it serves, making the sport more inclusive and universally engaging.
“The partnership between DP World and the ICC offers a unique opportunity for collaborative learning and continuous improvement,” Hilton noted. “By sharing best practices, knowledge, and insights, we can jointly enhance logistical capabilities, identify innovative solutions, and optimize operations to meet the evolving needs of cricket events.”
Beyond community engagement and shared learning, Hilton also emphasized the opportunity for DP World to grow its brand in associate nations through the ICC’s global operations. As the ICC expands its event footprint to include hosting World Cups in countries like the USA and Namibia, DP World can leverage this expansion to enhance its presence in these associate nations.
However, such expansion isn’t without its challenges. Synchronizing DP World’s logistical expertise with the ICC’s global operations will require effective communication channels with local stakeholders to ensure seamless coordination. Understanding the nuances and tailoring logistical operations to new and diverse environments also pose significant challenges.
Specific logistical considerations come into play as the ICC’s global operations continue to expand and the game of cricket evolves with countries adopting unique formats and variations.
Hilton
But he expressed confidence in DP World’s ability to navigate these changes through their extensive expertise in adapting to dynamic environments.
“Having moved 79 million containers across our global portfolio of container terminals for 2022 and almost 36M in Asia, including India, we are well-positioned to match the scale of the ICC’s global operations in making cricket possible at each step of the way.”
About Glen Hilton
Glen Hilton, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of DP World Asia Pacific, is a seasoned leader with more than three decades of experience in logistics, port, and terminal operations. His track record of delivering effective and innovative solutions has helped streamline trade flow and unlock substantial opportunities for individuals and businesses.
From his base in Singapore, Glen spearheads the company’s operations across several markets, including Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. His leadership extends to a team of 7,500 employees tasked with developing and implementing DP World’s commercial and operations strategies. This strategy is aimed at accelerating growth across the region and delivering unparalleled value to customers and partners.
Glen’s journey with DP World started in 2005, and within a year, he was leading port operations in the Dominican Republic. His effective leadership resulted in an impressive 80% growth of the operations. Following that, he served as the regional Head of Southeast Asian operations for four years before stepping into his current role.
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In the end, the conversation with Hilton left us with an intriguing insight into DP World’s strategic partnership with the ICC, promising an innovative approach to global cricket events. The integration of logistics and cricket is poised to enhance not just the global reach of the game but also its accessibility, inclusivity, and overall experience.
