Dakosy launches digital exchange platform for empty containers
Starting on July 24, 2018, software provider Dakosy will begin operating the new platform myboxplace.de as the successor to the Virtual Depot, which had been operated by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) for the Port of Hamburg since 2016. The company plans to quickly integrate the platform into the Import and Export Platforms (IMP and EMP) for the Port of Hamburg and provide EDI interfaces which will enable customers to significantly improve the process of reusing empty containers.
In future, the platform will be available throughout Europe and will not be limited to the port and surrounding areas. The platform’s customers include packers, forwarders, importers and exporters and container shipping companies. The goal is to reduce transports of empty containers and to save time and money for everyone.
Traditionally, packers or forwarders have brought their import containers to an empty container depot after unpacking. The containers remain there until they are needed by other logistics companies for their export processes.
The process with myboxplace.de is much more streamlined. The packer offers its unpacked import container as an available empty container online via the platform for a certain period of time. If another logistics provider reserves the container within the specified time frame, the container can be transported directly to the next user without an intermediate stop at the empty container depot – provided, of course, that the carrier has agreed to the exchange process via the platform.
A successful transaction saves at least one empty container transport, namely that to the depot. It is even more advantageous for so-called “self-re-users” if import containers that have become available are reused directly for export by the same company. Hence the physical transport is eliminated and the customer reaps the savings.
“The launch of this new platform completes our portfolio perfectly. As soon as we have connected myboxplace.de to our existing Port Community platforms, we will create even more synergies for all participants. Empty container handling is then seamlessly integrated into the transport process”, says Ulrich Wrage, Dakosyboard member, to sum up the advantages of the new platform.
Dakosy is a software company that has been serving the market for more than 35 years by offering digital software solutions for international freight forwarding, customs processing and supply chain management. Moreover, the company operates the Port Community System for the Port of Hamburg (PCS) and the Cargo Community System (FAIR@Link) for Frankfurt Airport. The use of this digital platform enables all companies and authorities involved in the export and import of goods to handle their transports fast and automated.