Ocean visibility is now part of project44’s Advanced Visibility Platform

Earlier today, Chicago-based project44, a technology services provider offering standardized, secure Web service API (application programming interfaces) integrations enabling 3PLs and shippers to connect with carriers in real time, has added ocean visibility availability to its Advanced Visibility Platform.

This platform focuses on shipment tracking and end-to-end visibility from the start of the shipping process to delivery (and beyond), as well as automation of key transportation processes, and also eliminates gaps in real-time visibility and powers users with high-quality and trustworthy Parcel, Final Mile, Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Volume LTL, Full Truckload, Refrigerated, Rail and Ocean data.

Company officials said that by adding ocean visibility to the platform provides insight on containers, departure, and arrival status, coupled with gains in operational efficiencies, costs reduction, and an improved customer experience.

And they added that it also enables shippers, including beneficial cargo owners (BCOs), freight forwarders and 3PLs to track North American-bound container shipments as they arrive in port for shipment, travel across the ocean and are discharged from vessels to be moved onto rail or trucks. What’s more, project44 said this type of broad and detailed ocean shipment visibility has previously been unattainable for many shippers, freight forwarders and 3PLs.  

In conjunction with the other modes within the Advanced Visibility Platform, including truckload, less-than-truckload, volume less-than-truckload, parcel, final mile, rail and intermodal, that provide end-to-end shipment visibility, the inclusion of ocean provides shippers with the ability to automate additional transportation processes and also gain access to more actionable insights to augment shipping operations.

“Until recently, much of the valuable information generated by ocean carriers and shipping terminals has been difficult, if not impossible, to access,” said Jett McCandless, CEO and founder of project44, in a statement. “Plus, true ocean visibility is multi-modal, encompassing port operations on either end that include truck and rail. By tapping into ocean carriers’ and shipping terminals’ treasure trove of vessel and port data, project44 is helping organizations understand the entire ocean leg of a shipment. This gives them the visibility they need to increase efficiency, lower expenses, and enhance their customers’ experiences.” 

The company explained that most delays to ocean shipments happen in port or directly after, but other visibility solutions only focus on satellite data on a vessel’s location while it is in transit.

A key difference it cited with the project44 Advanced Visibility Platform is that it allows for the collection and analysis of a wider range of real-time and historical vessel, container, port, weather and other ocean shipment data. This data, it said, allows project44 to deliver predictive insights enabling users to eliminate costs related to demurrage fees as well as reduce inventory stock outs and manual workload and also drive a significant return on investment.