IN BRIEF: New Services & Solutions-July 2021

Technology

  • BookYourCargo launched the Digital Drayage Platform to provide shippers with instant quotes and shipment visibility. Featuring machine learning engines, the platform integrates API/EDIs with existing third-party software platforms. Customers and vendors can search and compare rates by location, move type, and driver availability through access to a mobile device app.
  • Shippers gain end-to-end digitization with the partnership between digital freight network Convoy and global logistics platform Flexport. Leveraging Convoy’s North American carrier network, shippers can move their goods via international and domestic transportation through the Flexport platform.
  • Smaller distributors in North America can now take advantage of a “Three for Free” program from cloud company Infor to help them leverage cloud ERP technology. For a limited time, small and mid-sized businesses can receive a subscription for three free user licenses of Infor CloudSuite Distribution with an optional fixed-fee services engagement.
  • FourKites’ supply chain visibility platform is now available on SAP Store, the online marketplace for SAP and partner offerings. FourKites integrates with SAP Logistics Business Network and provides real-time, end-to-end visibility and predictive arrival times for truckload, LTL, ocean, and air transportation.
  • CEVA Logistics offers ground and rail shippers real-time visibility through a new alliance with project44, a supply chain visibility solutions provider. The track-and-trace services will roll out globally in 2022. The visibility solutions cover CEVA’s global ground and rail operations, from domestic distribution networks to cross-border, multi-modal solutions.
  • Retailers can improve existing e-commerce platforms or enter into e-commerce for the first time with Hy-Tek’s ECOMPLETE e-commerce solution. Hy-Tek Integrated Systems incorporated Kindred’s SORT robotic systems with Hy-Tek’s materials handling solutions to automate fulfillment operations.
  • Organizations gain the ability to make real-time decisions based on actual events with the supply chain asset monitoring and tracking partnership between Cloudleaf and 7PSolutions. Cloudleaf provides a digital intelligence platform that leverages IoT and digital twin technology while 7PSolutions provides global real-time GPS monitoring and tracking solutions.
  • Manufacturers can assess the impact of supplier risk and engage suppliers in mitigation plans with the partnership between LevaData’s AI sourcing platform and the Kinaxis RapidResponse platform. LevaData applies its AI-based predictions to supply chains to detect and highlight vulnerabilities. Combined with Kinaxis’ what-if scenarios, companies can accelerate response times.
  • PortPro, a drayage technology provider, launched drayOS Mobile, a new mobile application for carriers in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The new app helps shippers by consolidating a network of drayage carriers.
  • Cass Information Systems launched Cass FreightClaim360, a freight claims management application that automates each step of the claims lifecycle and provides visibility into claims details.
  • Port Manatee-based World Direct Shipping (WDS) expanded its weekly services crossing the Gulf of Mexico—deploying a larger vessel, introducing a fleet of 53-foot-long containers, and adding a fourth Mexico port of call. The latest addition to the WDS fleet, the 590-foot-long M/V Queen B III (pictured) can carry as many as 1,800 TEU units of containerized cargo.
  • Autonomous yard trucks developed by startup ISEE are designed to support safe and efficient trailer loading, unloading, and transportation. The AI-powered solution works alongside human distribution workers to optimize throughput and improve predictability. The system has been implemented at yard management company Lazer Spot, and Maersk, an investor in ISEE.

Transportation

  • American Airlines Cargo enhanced its transatlantic services to/from Israel by launching flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Miami International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport. B777-200 aircraft deploy on both the daily, year-round service between New York and Tel Aviv as well as the three-times weekly route between Miami and Tel Aviv. Flights initially carry around 15 tons of freight and will depend on passenger load factors.
  • Yang Ming took delivery of a new 11,000-TEU ship to upgrade its South America service. YM Tiptop is the fifth to be delivered in the series. The vessel is deployed on its Far East – South America service, SA3.
  • Maersk launched a Transpacific/Panama Canal service, with the first ships arriving at the Port of Baltimore in late August. The new Maersk TP20 loop service, which covers Southeast Asia/Vietnam and China, includes a string of up to 13 ships with carrying capacities of 4,500-plus TEU containers.
  • Sweden’s first container barge shuttle service on inland waterways started operation between Stockholm Norvik Port and the Port of Västerås. German shipping company Deymann operates the service, which utilizes smaller EU class vessels. Sailing time is 15 hours, with two sailings per week.
  • time:matters expanded its same-day air service between the United States and Europe by adding more than 30 direct flights per week between Paris and 10 U.S. stations, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
  • To accommodate Europe-bound cargo, MSC launched the Taiga service, which combines its intra-Asia shipping network, rail service in Russia, and short-sea feeder network in Europe. Total transit time from Shanghai to St. Petersburg is 24 days via this combined solution, compared with 41 days by ocean freight.
  • Lufthansa Cargo is increasing its air cargo capacities. Starting in early 2022, the company will offer additional capacity in Europe by permanently converting Airbus 321 passenger aircraft into freighters. The twin-engine medium-haul aircraft will receive large cargo doors to enable the transport of containers on the main deck as well. Lufthansa CityLine will operate the aircraft, which will be stationed in Frankfurt, on behalf of Lufthansa Cargo.
  • Dole Fresh Fruit, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, now includes Port Tampa Bay in a new containerized service between Central America and the U.S. Gulf. The service includes a weekly direct call at Port Tampa Bay from Puerto Cortes and Puerto Castilla in Honduras, and Puerto Barrios, in Guatemala. In addition, Dole’s commercial cargo division, Dole Ocean Cargo Express, offers a fixed weekly full containerload containerized cargo service.

Services

  • DHL expanded in Kansas City to accommodate growth in international e-commerce shipping. The company relocated its Kansas City operation to a newly constructed building that’s more than double the size of the previous location and is near the Kansas City International Airport.
  • Ruby Has, an e-commerce fulfillment company, launched the DTC Consortium, an industry alliance and think tank for the direct-to-consumer (DTC) space. The DTC Consortium helps organizations navigate market strategies including funding, technology, fulfillment, reverse logistics, and vertical-specific considerations.
  • RoadOne IntermodaLogistics teamed up with warehouse and fulfillment company Kinimatic to extend its warehousing and transload capabilities. RoadOne’s shipper customers now have access to Kinimatic’s national network of storage and fulfillment services for expedited local delivery.
  • Aeronet Worldwide opened a 6,000-square-foot station in Austin, Texas, to provide domestic and international logistics services for the Central Texas area, working in conjunction with other Aeronet operations in Dallas and Houston. This new facility is located 20 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
  • 3PL Murphy Logistics expanded its footprint in Kansas City, Missouri, by adding a new logistics center, which provides an additional 250,000 square feet of warehouse space and expanded rail capabilities. The Safe Quality Food-certified logistics center is suited for food products, bulk metals, roll paper, lumber, and animal feed.
  • Frozen and refrigerated food companies in Massachusetts will gain public cold storage warehouse capacity and access to RLS Logistics’ temperature-controlled LTL shipping programs. Through affiliate RLS Partners, the cold chain solutions provider is opening an 83,000-square-foot cold storage warehouse in Q1 of 2022 in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
  • Optimas Solutions, an industrial distributor and service provider, opened a regional distribution center in Knoxville, Tennessee. The facility offers more than 25,000 square feet of warehousing and distribution space and is located along the I-40 and I-75 corridors in Tennessee, near the McGhee Tyson Airport.
  • Samskip added a call at the Port of Waterford and a bigger ship to its recently launched Amsterdam-Ireland lane. The service upgrade introduces the 750-TEU-capacity container ship Edith. Samskip’s Rotterdam-Ireland services are sustained separately by a pair of 800-TEU vessels.
  • Dachser Mexico introduced a new less-than-containerload (LCL) service between the port of Altamira, Mexico and the port of Santos, Brazil. Supporting smaller cargo shipments, Dachser Mexico’s LCL service provides ocean shippers with a guaranteed departure/arrival time schedule with the cargo typically arriving at the destination port in 22 days.
  • Dayton Freight Lines, a provider of regional less-than-truckload transportation services, relocated its Omaha service center to a new facility. With 37 dock doors, and room to expand to 67 doors, the larger facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is expected to improve transportation arrival times, and allow the carrier to cover more ZIP codes in western Iowa.