Online cargo bookings increased by 56%. This shipping company tried an online booking platform. Digitization is the best way to deal with market fluctuations.
Digital transformation has been mentioned in the shipping field for several years. Facing the ever-changing market environment, in the past year or two, more and more shipping companies and freight forwarders have adopted digital transformation, especially online quotation and online acceptance. Booking.
In June 2019, Maersk launched the Maersk SPOT, which is eye-catching. Online booking is possible and the price is transparent;
In September 2019, COSCO SHIPPING Lines launched Syncon Hub, a new visual shipping e-commerce platform;
In early 2020, Evergreen Shipping launched the GreenX e-commerce platform to provide online inquiry, booking and payment;
In July 2020, Mediterranean Shipping upgraded the e-commerce platform myMSC, adding real-time quotation function;
In September 2020, Pan Asia Shipping 2.0 version integrated electronic booking platform PANHUB came out, AI intelligent customer service, full visual service;
…………
image
▍Freight forwarding DHL online booking and cargo volume increased by 56%
It is reported that since the launch of the myDHLi platform a year ago, the online booking and cargo volume of DHL Global Forwarding has increased by 56%.
Tim Scharwath, CEO of DHL Freight Forwarders, described it as a "transformation of digitalization into a consumer-centric platform."
He said: "We have 1,000 customers on the platform by the end of 2020, and this year's plan is to let 8,000 to 10,000 customers use myDHLi. The platform now has 3,000 languages, and we will continue to expand the platform by adding more languages. ."
myDHLi is a modular booking application that can be customized by customers, covering quotations and bookings in the entire transportation network, document management and freight tracking. It now provides services to customers in 62 countries/regions.
image
Scharwath pointed out that the surge in orders from last year to the first quarter of this year is consistent with a series of platform functional improvements, including the provision of the platform to road freight customers through DHL freight.
Uwe Brinks, its freight chief executive officer, said: “In view of user needs and feedback, we have decided to provide myDHLi to road freight customers so that they can benefit from the functions and services that air and sea freight already have. The road freight company uses the platform The advantage is that they can control their shipments more broadly."
▍ONE trial of digital freight booking platform
It is reported that Japanese container shipping company ONE (Ocean Network Express) is also providing such tools to shippers and forwarders, and is currently trialling the digital cargo booking platform created by Descartes Systems.
"Today's shippers need a more efficient and streamlined end-to-end freight booking experience," said Hiroki Tsujii, General Manager of Marketing and Commercial at ONE. "With the launch of our new digital platform ONE Quote, supported by Descartes Kontainers, customers can now receive instant quotations and reservations for export goods anytime and anywhere. This is a one-stop service that can fully automate traditional manual tasks."
image
Descartes Kontainers solutions provide global shipping companies, freight forwarders, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTI) and non-vessel carriers (NVOCC) with a comprehensive digital customer experience, including quotation, booking, tracking and dashboard analysis.
Graham Parker, Vice President of Descartes, said: "As the digital transformation of customer-oriented businesses accelerates, having a leading executable platform that can provide prices, quotes, and the ability to support on-demand booking and tracking of goods on any Internet device will change. It has to be more and more valuable."
▍Automation and digitalization are the best ways to deal with market fluctuations
Automation and digitization are still the best ways for ports to deal with the increase in container volume and prepare for unforeseen events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Suez Canal interruption.
In the early chaos of the epidemic, global consumption fell sharply, and subsequent manufacturing output in Southeast Asia grew rapidly due to the surge in demand in North America and Europe. This volatility has increased the difficulty of port operation planning and supply chain management.
In an interview with PTI before the Container Terminal Automation Conference (CTAC 2021) in 2021, Stephen Ash Ashworth, managing director of Hutchison Thai Ports (HPT), said that recent events have shown that technology can improve port and terminal operations.
"There is no doubt that digital automation is the way to deal with the increase in transportation volume, the productivity-related needs of shipping company customers and unforeseen events in the future." Ashworth said.
"If you also consider the possibility of a pandemic and supply chain disruption, you will begin to see how the application of technology to business and processes can safely increase terminal productivity and reduce the risk of unforeseen events."
image
HPT is launching a digital platform to "integrate and control the entire scope of operations", including the cargo yard at D Terminal, Thailand's most advanced deep-sea hub.
The first phase of Pier D was opened in 2019 and is now fully operational. It has 1,000 meters of berth space, 6 super post-Panamax STS cranes and 20 RTG cranes, all of which are operated remotely.
Ashworth explained that all current and future shore-based (STS) and rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTG) will be operated using remote control technology. In addition, as part of the "overall technological transformation", six driverless trucks are currently being tested.
According to Ashworth, the terminal "has been created and committed to technological advancement so as to be able to bring real benefits to shipping customers, port users and operators."
The results of the pilot program are encouraging. So far, 12,000 containers have been successfully loaded or unloaded on ships via self-driving trucks.
"Finally, we will launch a land-based process digitalization plan at D terminal and other terminals in Laem Chabang Port."
"We have also implemented a system for issuing electronic invoices to customers, which greatly reduces the use of paper. In addition, we are now launching an electronic payment system and are cooperating with major shipping company customers through the global shipping business network block The chain platform launched an electronic delivery order (e-DO) system."
