FORMER APL EXECUTIVE HEADS ONLINE OCEAN SHIPPING MARKETPLACE

FORMER APL EXECUTIVE HEADS ONLINE OCEAN SHIPPING MARKETPLACE    Newly formed Tradiant.com has set up an online service which it says links shippers, carriers and forwarders in the global transportation of containerized freight.
   The company, which is headed by John Urban, a former APL senior executive, provides a “neutral venue” to shippers and forwarders to buy transportation services, while carriers can use the system to sell their services and attract new clients.
   Since January, Tradiant has signed on 16 ocean carriers. “Tradiant gives CSX Lines an opportunity to complement our existing e-commerce strategy by targeting a new market of shippers,” said Ken Glenn, vice president of sales and marketing for CSX Lines.
   Tradiant says its Internet system also levels the playing field between small-to- midsized forwarders and larger firms.
   The Alameda, Calif.-based company says it will start with ocean container shipping and eventually spread into other transport modes, such as air freight and trucking.
   Tradiant has received financial backing from Warburg, Pincus Venture Partners.