AN ONLINE platform called SimpliShip, has started in the US to enable shippers to put freight out to auction to qualified non-vessel operators (NVOs) and forwarders.
They would be automatically notified of the bid, unless the shipper has specified it wants to hold a private bid among a select group of parties.
The platform is designed to help smaller shippers secure competitive ocean and air freight rates with member NVOs and forwarders, and is funded by collecting two per cent of the transaction amount from the NVO or forwarder once it has secured a winning bid.
It was founded by Cory Margand, a former supply chain executive who found it nearly impossible to procure spot ocean rates in a timely and consistent manner.
"There was no good way of doing it," Mr Margand said in an interview with American Shipper. "You'd do it with phone calls and emails to a forwarder. They'd take a couple hours to get rates back, and the rate wouldn't be in a standard template."
Mr Margand said SimpliShip will launch with 10 selected NVOs and forwarders based in the New England area but the goal of attracting hundreds of such companies.
The marketplace is free for shippers, and those that register get access to customisable shipping templates, shipment and rate histories, and carrier profiles. Mr Margand said future functionality will include business intelligence tools that allow shippers to manage their spend and carrier and rates.
SimpliShip follows the March launch of neutral online freight rate marketplace, Haven, which focuses on ocean rates, and connects shippers directly with ocean carriers in a marketplace environment.
Carriers can decide a rate that they are comfortable providing service, and shippers using the platform can factor in service elements like transit times and port rotations into their decisions.
Another marketplace, Shipstr, has designs on being the Expedia of shipping and is set to launch in the fourth quarter.
SHIPPING NEWS
29 June 2015 - 21:27
SimpliShip offers shippers online platform for NVOs to bid for freight
AN ONLINE platform called SimpliShip, has started in the US to enable shippers to put freight out to auction to qualified non-vessel operators (NVOs) and forwarders.
SHIPPING NEWS
29 June 2015 - 21:27
SimpliShip offers shippers online platform for NVOs to bid for freight
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