Page 29 - Port Of Hamburg Magazine 01.2018

in customer numbers. We are currently seeing be- tween ten and 15 new ones every month.”
One of these clients is Hamburg-based iCON Interna- tional Container Service. The company specializes in trading and leasing of sea containers, with about 20,000 TEU in circulation worldwide. “We have had very positive experience with xChange,” confirms CEO Achim Bunke. “The platform offers extensive ac- cess to suppliers and enquirers. Naturally we swapped experience with our partners beforehand. Through xChange, we are now coming into contact with com- panies that we never previously had on our radar, for example forwarders in China.”
Bunke tells of a project requiring iCON to transport 100 new containers from a plant in China to the customer in Chicago. Through xChange, a shipping line was found that had a quantity of cargo for Chicago. “That’s a win-win situation for all sides. We save ourselves dead-heading, and the carrier a costly movement of empty containers to Chicago. Such ‘one-way use’ helps a lot.”
Owing to the tremendous response, this empty con- tainer exchange is now being further developed techni- cally. While at the start only supply and demand were displayed, the system now offers complete process backing. Opportunities exist for direct communication
and contract management along with framework agreements. In addition, a ‘track & trace’ function ena- bles users to monitor the location of their equipment. Roeloffs is convinced that the platform still offers great potential. According to him, container shipping lines, especially, are still highly sceptical. “We often hear the argument that what should be standing at the ship- per’s is a box in shipping company colours and with its own distinct branding. With such an interchangeable business as transport services, that’s one of the few distinguishing characteristics.” Yet in this xChange manager’s experience, shippers and recipients alike don’t care at all which logo is visible on the container. Carrier’s fears of a competitor being boosted by hav- ing urgently required empty containers made availa- ble are far more substantial. In addition, an exchange of site details could facilitate conclusions about its own customer structure. “It’s understandable that both are undesirable,” says Roeloffs. “Yet we can counterthis.Everycustomercanlaydowninadvance just who he will not either cooperate or exchange da- ta with.” It remains to be seen whether price and competitive pressure will in the end lead to grasping this cost-saving potential. ■
Further details at: www.container-xchange.com
50 YEARS OF CONTAINERS IN HAMBURG ■
13 ha
5,5 ha
13m
Port of Hamburg Magazine | March 2018 | 29
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