A carrier group for the digital era

   Four shipping lines — MSC, Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express — have established an organization called the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) that aims to “create common information technology standards to make the industry more efficient for both customers and shipping lines.”
   In a press release, MSC said the group “is in discussions with multiple other container shipping lines around the globe who are interested in joining. Preparations for two more companies to join are already in process.” 
    CMA CGM, which was listed as one of the parties that created the group when they filed their agreement (No. 201288) with the Federal Maritime Commission told American Shipper today it is not a member of the group.
   Headquartered in Amsterdam, the association will focus on driving standardization, digitalization and interoperability in container shipping.
   Thomas Bagge (pictured above) from Maersk has been appointed chief executive officer of the group.
   “For the first time in 20 years, the container shipping industry has come together with a common goal to move the industry into the digital era. With the regulatory approval in place, we look forward for the association to take up work and to begin to collaborate with multiple stakeholders from the entire value chain,” said André Simha, chief information officer of MSC and chairman of the supervisory board of DCSA.