SECOND E-PORTAL SPLITS TOP CARRIERS ON ALLIANCE BASIS

SECOND E-PORTAL SPLITS TOP CARRIERS ON ALLIANCE BASIS       Eight major ocean carriers have joined California-based systems provider Tradiant to launch Global Transportation Network, the industry’s second e-portal for on-line bookings.
      Six of the eight lines belong to three major east-west alliances: APL, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Hyundai Merchant Marine (New World Alliance); “K” Line and Yang Ming (alliance partners with COSCO Container Line); and Hanjin — including Senator Lines (United Alliance). Remaining members CP Ships and Zim are both non-aligned in terms of alliances.
      None of the alliances represented in Tradiant/GTN has members in the five-line INTTRA e-portal, which was announced Oct. 30.
      E-portal plans are still undecided by three major Chinese
carriers: Evergreen, COSCO Container Line, and OOCL. Also, Grand Alliance members Hapag-Lloyd and NYK are still undeclared.
      The Tradiant/GTN e-portal differs significantly from the Maersk Sealand-led INTTRA e-portal in that Tradiant will contribute its existing platform technology to GTN and be a majority shareholder. Tradiant will thus become a “trusted third party — to ensure neutrality and security” for member lines, a statement said. The founder lines will jointly own the remaining shares.
      Aaron Sasson, chief executive officer of Tradiant, will be leading the GTN project, with his long-standing development team, the statement said.