Tech Bytes: Haven and Transportation Costing Group

Haven starts ocean carrier online marketplace and Lawrence Companies implements Transportation Costing Group’s Truckload Cost Information System    A new marketplace intended to allow shippers to search, compare, and reserve container slots across 10 ocean carriers has been started by a new company called Haven.
   The company’s so-called Private Marketplace allows shippers to prioritize their search based on criteria such as arrival or departure times, frequency of sailings, transit times, and rates.
   The marketplace also allows carriers to sell slots directly to shippers.
   “Over the past year, we’ve met with representatives from nearly every major carrier and shipper to understand their challenges,” said Matthew Tillman, Haven co-founder and chief executive officer.
   There is no upfront cost to participate, no software to install, and no subscription fee. Transactions remain private and data is never sold to third parties.
   Prior attempts to set up such private and free-to-use exchanges for container rates have never caught on, as typically shippers, carriers, non-vessel-operating common carriers negotiate in person, by phone or email, or via dedicated procurement tools.

   The Transportation Costing Group, a provider of costing and profitability management solutions for truckload and less-than-truckload motor carriers, today announced that Lawrence Companies has implemented its Truckload Cost Information System.
   The transportation services provider is using the TCG solution in its truckload operation to address profitability issues and improve decision-making.
   “Six months ago we had nothing other than historical information from our transportation management software,” said Walter A. Grigg III, vice president of strategic development and business intelligence at Lawrence Companies. “Data visibility was poor, and only provided generalities about what had already happened in our business. With TCG’s Truckload Cost Information System we have a forward-looking solution that accounts for the complexities in a truckload operation and brings to light trends.”
   Roanoke, Va.-based Lawrence Companies handles 20,000 loads each year.