WiseTech Global, a leading provider of logistics execution solutions, has partnered with MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, one of the world’s largest container carriers, to provide a direct data connection between their systems, providing productivity and efficiency gains for some of the world’s largest freight forwarders.

The integration provides CargoWise customers with direct electronic messages for schedules, booking, tracking, verified gross mass, shipping instructions, bill of lading data, while contract and spot rates are in development. By adopting DCSA’s latest published standards, the partners are taking advantage of the shipping industry’s best practices – improving the speed and quality of data exchange between customers using CargoWise and MSC.

Andre Simha, Chief Digital and Information Officer at MSC, said: “MSC has long recognized the importance of digitalization across the shipping industry and has been a driving force behind the establishment of a consistent method for publishing data across multiple platforms, so customers can more easily access or retrieve the shipping information they need.

“CargoWise is the operating system used by many of our freight forwarder customers. By ensuring an easy and fast exchange of information with a direct platform connection, both MSC and CargoWise users gain a wide range of benefits, including a smoother e-booking and track and trace process. The quality and breadth of data being shared also translates to a reduction in manual data entry and rekeying of data, minimizing the risk of errors. Ultimately, this leads to process improvement, productivity gains, and enhanced real-time visibility. Rollout to the first set of mutual customers has already commenced, and we expect this to expand to more of our customers over the next 12 months.

“Through the adoption of the DCSA standards we’re also moving one step closer to a more digitalized and harmonized process. We’re in a very fragmented and complex industry and there is a real need to simplify things, work together and communicate with each other in a smarter way. The improved transparency, visibility and reliability across supply chain management through the adoption of these standards, will help the industry transform for the better.”

Ashley Skaanild, Senior Manager of Carrier Strategy at WiseTech Global, said: “We’re pleased to be working in collaboration with a digital champion like MSC who continue to demonstrate that they’re taking a leading role in reshaping our industry. MSC has recognized that the digital needs of their customers are growing, and that connecting to CargoWise provides critical services at the fingertips of our shared customers. By providing their latest schedules to CargoWise customers, and with rates forthcoming, MSC becomes an easier and more seamless choice when it comes to online booking.

“The integration of eMessages is critical in creating a seamless experience for our CargoWise users while also enhancing processes and productivity for their carriers. We are committed to building this capability in our leading CargoWise platform. As the ocean carrier industry moves toward adopting the DCSA standards, these connections will continue to scale and provide greater levels of productivity for all stakeholders in global supply chains.”