CargoSmart designs new product for ocean shippers to optimize routes

CargoSmart Limited – a global management software provider serving the logistics community – has just introduced Route Master, a tool designed for ocean cargo shippers to leverage big data for greater visibility and benchmarking.

According to spokesmen, the tool provides new routing options and vessel operator details so that shippers can be more informed to improve supply chain velocity and mitigate risk as new ocean alliance networks go into effect in April.

Route Master is in beta release and open to shippers and logistics service providers to start seeing the impact of the alliance and individual carrier network changes on their supply chains and begin planning for the new contracting season.

Dan Smith is a principal with the Tioga Group Inc., a logistics consultancy. He says  it may be a very valuable tool for shippers with complex networks trying to cope with alliance shifts and the slowness of the alliances to announce their routes.

“This is also going to be a tough bargaining season, with carriers trying desperately to rationalize capacity and raise rates,” he told LM in an interview. “If Routemaster helps shippers identify their full range of options it will help level the bargaining table.”

Cathy Morrow Roberson, another industry analyst and President, of Logistics Trends & Insights, agrees, noting that “there's still a lot of unknowns” with the upcoming alliances coming into being next month.

Starting from April 1, 2017, the new OCEAN Alliance and THE Alliance will kick-off their respective networks and the 2M Alliance will launch new services. Based on the three mega alliances’ proforma schedules announced through March 10, 2017, shippers will experience significant changes in their carriers’ service networks.

“Shippers are facing vast service changes as they negotiate their contracts this season,” said Lionel Louie, chief commercial officer of CargoSmart.