OCEAN CARRIER\\\ >> 18


in India were plugging


and


unplugging reefer containers to save on fuel. “We approached our client, an international forwarder, and explained that our condition for releasing a container to a client includes power-on for the entire voyage,” says Ben-Ari, “From that moment on we received no more power off alerts.” Zim’s communications


technology is based on cellular service, which means that it can monitor containers while on the road or in port but not when they are on the high seas. This would require satellite communications that increase service costs beyond what Zim’s customers are willing to pay, says Ben-Ari. As part of investments made


by Maersk Group, Sealand, on the other hand, offers satellite communications on refrigerated


OOCL shippers have


access to multiple-carrier tools from CargoSmart, a sister company of OOCL, such as Big Schedules that leverages big data and Internet of


Things


(IoT) technologies to track vessels’ actual locations, adverse weather conditions, and other indicators that may potentially affect vessels’ schedules. “By leveraging this data OOCL


intelligence, has full


visibility of its own vessels, including chartered ones and those from alliance partners, to better manage issues related to vessel exceptions, incidents, and delays,”


Siu explains. “Sharing


vessel and schedule information with our alliance partners is also


(Zim Photo)


Issue 6 2017 - FBJNA


“Booking digitally is more accurate and quicker.”


-- Howard Finkel, Cosco also


gaining ground in various


supply-chain applications, and Sealand is working with IBM to apply blockchain to its processes. A blockchain is a data structure that makes it possible to create a permanent digital public ledger of transactions and to share it among a distributed network of computers. Blockchain


technology can be used to connect supply chains together and process the millions of transactions processed each day in the shipping industry among numerous stakeholders. “Moving a container


from


East Africa to Europe requires sharing information with multiple authorities and organizations across different countries,” Frias says. “We are using blockchain to use cloud-based tools to allow different parties access to data


pertaining to a specific shipment with the idea of providing more visibility to the transfer and release of goods.”


Fol lowing


a pilot on Maersk’s East Africa-to- Europe trade, Sealand is currently working to bring this technology to the Americas. Yang Ming is also working on


a blockchain initiative, as well as on IoT and big data analyses. “The important thing behind IoT and big data is the innovation on operational excellence


and


19 customer service,” says


a Yang Ming spokesperson. “Consequently, it creates a differentiation for those players who are moving faster.” For Zim’s Ben-Ari, the


technologies being implemented by ocean carriers will have the effect of “bringing the shipping industry a high level of service.” “The entire industry should


invest together in these platforms,” he says. “Everyone will benefit from the effort.”


“The entire industry should invest together in these platforms.” -- Rafi Ben-Ari, Zim


containers. Besides monitoring cargo status, this allows cargo owners to obtain the container’s location every 15 minutes. Shippers and receivers of


refrigerated cargo are more sensitive than most to the location and condition of their goods, understandably so considering their value, perishability, and oſten time sensitivity, notes Frias. Today’s advanced information are also making


technologies


their way into the ocean shipping world. OOCL makes use of big data and machine learning techniques to build predictive models and algorithms on vessel movements, including speed changes, route deviations, idling, abnormal stoppages, potential delays, and predictive ETAs. “By having earlier notice of potential delays, we are able to notify our customers more quickly of changes in schedules so that they have timely information to better manage their supply chains,” Siu says.


very helpful for shippers with cargo on multiple carrier vessels within the alliance network.” The multiple-carrier


analytics from CargoSmart also enables OOCL to compare its service offerings and on-time performance with competitors and identify areas for improvement. Leveraging CargoSmart data analytics allows OOCL to provide ports with more accurate vessel estimated times of arrivals while enabling terminals to better plan for the forthcoming activities.


Going Forward


Implementing technology is a never-ending process, so carriers consider how upcoming technologies they might benefit their operations. Cosco Shipping is in talks to buy OOCL, and, if all goes well, Cosco customers can expect to see more technology offerings in the next year, hints Finkel. Blockchain technology is


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