Some of the major shipping lines in the container industry namely, Maersk Line, MSC, CMA-CGM, Hapag Lloyd and ONE are locked in discussions to create an association looking to pave the way for further digitalization, standardization and interoperability within the industry..
An MSC Press release said that IT executives from these companies are currently discussing the creation of common information technology standards which shall be openly available and free of charge for all stakeholders of the wider container shipping industry..
As per André Simha, CIO of MSC and spokesperson of the group
It’s in the customers’ and all stakeholders’ best interest, if container shipping companies operate with a common set of information technology standards.
We are striving for less red tape and better transparency. The timing is right, as emerging technologies create new customer friendly opportunities. Together, we gain traction in delivering technological breakthroughs and services to our customers compared to working in our own closed silos.
This association which will be a neutral and non-profit body will be driven by the need to deliver benefits for the industry and its stakeholders including other ocean carriers.
In line with this, the association is welcoming new members with open arms to join them once it is established.
As per reports, the association has no intention of developing or operating any digital platform, but aims to ensure interoperability through standardization while avoiding any commercial or operational discussions..
This association aims to be operational as from early 2019 and is expected to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements..
As per an ONE Press Release, the participants of this discussions had this to say :
• Digital is key for A.P. Moller – Maersk in delivering on our strategy to become an integrated container logistics company that offers simple, end-to-end services with seamless customer experience.
A joint set of technical standards will ensure interoperability and enable all parties to concentrate on value adding differentiation as we move the container shipping industry towards further digitalization. Ultimately this will benefit all parties in our customers’ supply chains”, says Adam Banks, Chief Technology & Information Officer, A.P. Moller – Maersk.
• “CMA CGM is always looking for best practices and standards to support the innovation and digital strategy of the company. Being a founding member will enable us to work together on setting the standards for digitization of the entire industry,” says Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Executive Vice President IT & Transformations, CMA CGM.
• “Hapag-Lloyd welcomes the creation of this association as we firmly believe that the challenges of the future can only be tackled with a common approach. While we remain competitors in the markets, together we will manage to shape the future of our industry,” says Martin Gnass, Managing Director Information Technology, Hapag-Lloyd.
• “MSC believes that we’ve reached the point in the carrier world where we need something that is common, open and done in the framework of a neutral and non-profit association.
By collaborating on standardized solutions, we think that’s the best way to respond to shippers’ demands for technology and innovation, thus shaping the future of the shipping industry,” says Andre Simha, Chief Information Officer, MSC.
• “Ocean Network Express sees a wave of innovation technology development in shipping and logistics industry over the recent years which can bring good opportunity to the whole industry for digital transformation.
But, at the same time, we’re a little bit cautious about adopting new technology by individual company since there is no common standard in the market which may be ending up with re-integrating work among all stakeholders in the supply chain.
With this mind, we feel it would be necessary to do some discussion and collaboration on the area of new technology and innovation to establish common IT standard and governance for the industry to streamline and digitize shipping process in a modern way.
In the end, we believe this style of collaboration can bring value and opportunity to our customers as well as logistics companies, leading shipping and logistics industry to new ecosystem of digital supply chain,” says Noriaki Yamaga, Managing Director, Corporate & Innovation, Ocean Network Express.
