LEAN MANAGEMENT AS A TOOL FOR INCREASING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF MARITIME TRANSPORT ENTERPRISES

Abstract

The article examines the possibilities of applying Lean management as an effective tool for increasing the competitiveness of maritime transport enterprises under conditions of global economic instability, transformation of supply chains, and growing requirements for operational efficiency. The relevance of the research is determined by the need for maritime transport enterprises to adapt to changing logistics routes, increasing competition, rising operating costs, and the necessity to improve service quality while maintaining sustainable economic performance. The study aims to identify the role of Lean management in improving the operational and strategic performance of maritime transport enterprises and to determine the main directions for optimizing logistics and management processes through the implementation of Lean principles and tools. The methodological basis of the research includes methods of theoretical generalization, comparative analysis, systematization, and process analysis. The study considers the conceptual foundations of Lean management and examines the practical application of Lean tools in the field of maritime transport and logistics. Particular attention is paid to the identification of losses arising during cargo handling, transportation operations, information processing, and logistics coordination. The results of the research demonstrate that the implementation of Lean management contributes to reducing operational costs, minimizing losses, improving the efficiency of cargo handling processes, optimizing the use of transport and warehouse infrastructure, and increasing the flexibility of logistics systems. The study proves that Lean principles allow enterprises to improve service quality, reduce delays, optimize inventory management, and ensure more efficient use of human and technical resources. The analysis also confirms that digitalization and process standardization significantly enhance the effectiveness of Lean implementation in maritime logistics. Practical value of the article lies in the possibility of using the proposed approaches and management tools for improving the operational efficiency and competitiveness of maritime transport enterprises. The obtained results may be applied in the development of strategies aimed at optimizing logistics operations, reducing costs, improving customer satisfaction, and strengthening the long-term sustainability of maritime transport enterprises in a highly competitive market environment.