MAERSK SOUTH Africa has invested US$20 million in e-commerce which enables clients to print their original and signed bills of lading in their own offices. This they can do after obtaining any relevant information from the Maersk website, maersksealand.com, on availability of containers -size, height and weight limitations - and the full routing of the cargo.
Information includes arrival and departure dates, vessel and voyage information, as well as total transit time.
South Africa is undisputedly the African country mostly developed as regards internet and e-commerce, which is why we are focusing our efforts here, says Maersk South Africa's Gauteng-based e-commerce manager Mads Hoeg. We will soon launch in Namibia and Mauritius and then work our way northwards, he told FTW.
When a client books his cargo, we are offering him the facility to control the information that will end up on the bill of lading via direct interface to the Maersk office of his choice. Then, through our global systems, he will be able to track his cargo on realtime updates.
Vessel schedules are updated instantly on the systems and all transport routings are listed. We also provide information on how to ship reefer cargo, and there is also a hangertainer guide, which is quite unusual in the provision of services of this nature. It tells clients where they can book their garments on moving hangers which are shipped and delivered direct to the retail outlet ready for instant display purposes.
Maersk also has a service which provides an e-statement for clients where they can see freight due on a monthly or bill of lading level, and which simplifies payments. The line also plans to enable clients to use the net to supply shipping instructions by reusing the booking information stored in their personal access to the web, thereby controlling exactly how their bill of lading will appear.
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