18 September 2019
The Common Drive For An End-To-End Solution Across The Maritime Sector

There is no denying the fact that the maritime industry is evolving at a steady rate with the implementation of newer and better technologies. With the future signaling towards the dawn of the digital era and the domination of automation, the most important question that crops up concerning this context is the possible emergence of an end-to-end solution. This innovative solution can also be referred to as the " Uber of Shipping " and is likely to turn into a reality as the vital nodes in the global supply chain are becoming smarter with every day! However, we can rest assured that this definitive, groundbreaking transformation will not happen overnight or will occur anytime soon.
Many would argue that the mere inclusion of avant-garde technologies and modified systems in the shipping arena is not sufficient enough to bring a revolutionary wave across the globe, as there is no guarantee that automation could give rise to a highly efficient, hassle-free logistics network. Though many well-established shipping companies have recently joined hands to usher in the inevitable and powerful transformation within the industry, the network is, unfortunately, devoid of meaningful standards and is yet to overcome the developmental barriers. The industry experts are hopeful about the fact that the widespread collaboration and the constant involvement of the major organizations will go a long way in clearing the obstacles that hinder the progress of end-to-end solutions.
In recent years, some of the major ports in the world have made genuine efforts to create ripples of positivity in the supply chain and are striving hard to become more organized and structured than they were before. Throwing light on this crucial matter, Jon Gardeitchik from the Port of Rotterdam has highlighted the fact that multiple levels have to be mastered to achieve ‘digital maturity' both within and beyond the gate. Plus, in the views stated by the recent PTI insight, the rapid growth of communications among the various machines through the Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity has triggered the progress of automation and has even boosted the performance levels.
The most convenient way of attaining the goal of an end-to-end solution is by improving the transparency factor within the entire industry. By allowing the day-to-day transactions to become more visible and easier to access, long-term planning can be done in a much more synchronized manner. With the birth of newer and more improved technologies, the transparency factor has undoubtedly received a huge boost, of recent. Nowadays, many containers are being fitted with smart tracking gadgets that will record the necessary data related to providing a real-time view of the cargo location and lots more. However, innovative solutions need to be aligned to work effectively for a highly efficient digital-based system instead of focusing on individual segments.
The supply chain has to overcome the constant hindrance in maintaining the optimum standardization that reflects the common standards reflected across the interconnected platform by the stakeholders. Over the last ten years, these stakeholders (even shippers, banks, government organizations and freight forwarders have joined the initiative) have constantly evolved to construct their digital systems and the branching out of systems makes it a serious problem to unite the different organizations. Thus, it is evident that the maritime industry needs to establish an enhanced level of global connectivity while putting forward a clear line of communication within the supply chain. Echoing the new-age concepts and methodologies, the Digital Container Shipping Association was established in April 2019 by leading carriers like MSC and Maersk to fuel the standardization movement and to achieve the common goal of standardization on a global scale. Similarly, several shipping organizations and terminal operators like PSA, CMA CGM, COSCO and DP World have collaborated to build a common blockchain network to improve the transparency and efficiency of transportation across the shipping secto r.

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