Transforming the container shipping industry

Paper-based processes create complexity, delays and waste

The FIT Alliance was formed in February 2022 with five founding members: BIMCO, DCSA, FIATA, ICC and SWIFT.

The bill of lading serves a number of very important roles in container shipping.

It is important for international shipping and trade that the industry is equipped to move away from paper-based processes towards digitalisation.

An electronic bill of lading (eBL) will transform information exchange in container shipping.

Unexpected delays ripple across the supply chain

Time for a leap forward in container shipping

DCSA interview: Carl Bentzel, Commissioner of the United States Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)

The two member organisations will work together to accelerate the digital transformation of container shipping for the benefit of shippers

APIs are the modern standard for interoperable, digital data communication.

CMA CGM streamlines client onboarding and communication

with Support from Ocean Carriers, ExxonMobil and eBL Platform Providers

What the Commonwealth’s quantitative analysis tells us

Extending JIT standards framework to include 110 timestamps 

by Henning Schleyerbach

Beta 1 with new universal service reference coding system

Get an idea about how excited and committed DCSA and subject matter experts from ocean carriers are to work on standards for some of the most urgent and impactful needs in the industry.

At DCSA we believe the spirit of collaboration and innovation that we saw at this IATA Digital Cargo Hackathon 2022 is exactly what is needed to move the container shipping industry forward to achieve its full potential.

Thomas Bagge, DCSA CEO

Ongoing disruption underscores the need for digital standards  

Gerzee joins from Amsterdam’s world-renowned Schiphol airport, where he held the position of Chief Digital & Innovation Officer

The top 3 reasons to make the switch to standards-based APIs: real-time data exchange, faster innovation and great customer experiences.

Beta releases initiate three-month period of public review and feedback for eDocumentation standards

DCSA, BIMCO, FIATA, ICC and SWIFT form Future International Trade Alliance and sign memorandum of understanding to standardise digitalisation of international trade

Read the eighth edition of our quarterly publication about standardisation for container shipping.

Latest release of DCSA Just-in-Time Port Call Programme provides interface standards and API definitions for all 50 port call event timestamps  

What will it take to digitally transform container shipping?

Online forum enables all stakeholders to suggest and vote on ideas for DCSA roadmap.

Released version 2.2 of its Track & Trace Interface Standard for customer-facing events.

It's currently difficult for cargo owners to get visibility of their shipments in the container supply chain due to complex processes and a lack of proactive notifications when circumstances change. DCSA's Thomas Bagge explains how digital standards will improve shipping customer experiences, as they have in other industries.

Updates to key terms and attributes based on feedback carriers received while rolling out the standards to customers.

Facilitating the implementation of DCSA just-in-time (JIT) port call standards.

Read the seventh edition of our quarterly publication about standardisation for container shipping.

In this final video of our series, the panellists talk about their level of optimism for the industry’s digital transformation and identify the key things that they believe need to happen most urgently to improve its chances of success.

Do the benefits of adopting digital standards outweigh the challenges for each part of the industry, and what will it take to persuade carriers, shippers and other stakeholders to get on board?

How will container shipping go about transforming into a truly digital industry? What are the different challenges for each part of the industry?

What can container shipping learn from other industries like banking and telecoms that have already undergone digital transformation? Can shipping make the cultural shift needed to embrace digitalisation and gain the same kind of benefits?

Robert Taylor introduces the panellists and ask them to share what they consider to be the driving principle behind shared digital standards for container shipping. Why is digital transformation needed, and what’s the urgency to do it now?

Programme enables stakeholders to publicly demonstrate successful adoption of DCSA standards.

Facilitating the implementation of DCSA bill of lading (B/L) standards

Within five years, we’ll see improved customer experiences and the emergence of innovative new platforms built on standards and interoperability. Sustainability will also be a key driver of digitalisation.

True progress can only be achieved if all parts of the industry are willing to engage, try new things and invest in digital standards.

Alongside the drive for digital documentation, DCSA is focusing on making it easier for carriers to share timely, actionable and accurate data with customers.

Standards play a crucial role in the enablement of digitalisation and interoperability and will enable customers to enjoy the benefits of the digital revolution.

Read the sixth edition of our quarterly publication about standardisation for container shipping.

Getting real-time visibility of where your cargo is through availability of data.

Alignment of container shipping industry gains traction

Read the fifth edition of our quarterly publication about standardisation for container shipping.

What is an eBill of Lading (eB/L) and why does container shipping need it? How does DCSA support eB/L adoption and how can you get started? DCSA’s Nils Nuyens has the answers in under six minutes.

Proper monitoring and handling of Reefer containers is vital to maintain the quality of perishable goods during a journey

First release of DCSA’s eDocumentation initiative establishes data and process standards for bill of lading preparation and issuance

In this webinar recording Marcel van de Pol, Program Director, provides an overview of the Just-In-Time Port call standards.

The fourth edition of our quarterly publication about standardisation for container shipping.

Just-in-Time Port Call programme to facilitate vessel speed optimisation and reduce CO2 emissions

Standards for communication of load lists and bay plans increase operational efficiency at port

Program Director Niels Nuyens explains the set of documents for the standards and how they relate to each other. He also zooms into the logical data model and goes over elements related to operational vessel schedules.

Program Director Niels Nuyens provides an overview of the standards, including what the standards cover, who can use them and who will benefit from these standards.

The third edition of our quarterly publication about standardisation for container shipping.

New standards to enable automatic sharing of vessel schedule data between carriers and operational service providers

Watch this webinar recording to get an overview of the DCSA IoT initiative and the first Connectivity Interface Standards for network infrastructure.

Connectivity interface standards to enable interoperable “smart container” solutions

The second - and anniversary - edition of our quarterly publication about standardisation for container shipping.

Watch the recording of our Cyber Security webinar where we provide you with an overview of the cyber security landscape in maritime, 3 steps to protecting ships from cyber attacks, and introduce the DCSA Cyber Security Implementation Guide.

Cyber security best practices to facilitate vessel readiness by January 2021

In this webinar recording Thomas Bagge explains the mission of DCSA and Henning Schleyerbach provides an overview of why we developed the Track & Trace standards.

The first edition of our quarterly publication about standardisation for container shipping.

We proudly present the first Container Shipping Industry Blueprint published by the DCSA. It has been dubbed ‘IBP 1.0’ and comprises recommended current state standards for the processes used in container shipping.

Five ocean carriers join Digital Container Shipping Association as members, in addition to A.P. Moller – Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and ONE, with the purpose of enabling digital standardization in the container shipping industry. Henning Schleyerbach is appointed as COO of DCSA.

A.P. Moller – Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and Ocean Network Express establish Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) in The Netherlands. Industry veterans form leadership team, with Thomas Bagge appointed as CEO.