MOMBASA, Kenya – Shipping giant, Maersk, is pushing for a cloud-based strategy to reduce documentation processes in shipping and enable global trade writes JOSEPH BURITE.

“The idea is to use our expertise around processes and systems around the world to help enable trade,” Managing Director for East Africa Steve Felder said in an interview on Monday.

“It is to try and push for digitalization of documentation processes in shipping as an enabler to improve efficiency and lead-time. It will ultimately reduce total logistical costs,” he said by phone from Johannesburg.

Partnering with Trademark East Africa, the company will work on the pilot project in the region. “If successful, it has potential to be adopted globally,” Fedler said.

Transportation accounts for over 40% in cost of doing business in the region, according to the Shipping Council of East Africa.

“To ship a container from Kenya to Holland, a mapping process showed – there are more than 30 individual organizations involved and more than 200 communication interactions. We are looking at how we can develop a cloud based solution to greatly improve this process,” Felder said.

Source: East African Business Week

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