From Vessel Sharing to Digital Partnerships as the Ocean Container Freight Carriers Collaborate

After gaining regulatory approval from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) last month, four container shipping companies, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express (ONE), have officially established the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) last week in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The aim is to create common information technology standards to make the ocean freight transport industry more efficient for both customers and shipping lines.The plan to create a neutral, non-profit association for ocean carriers was first announced in November 2018. The association, focusing on driving standardisation, digitalisation and interoperability in container shipping, is now starting operations with a leadership team made up of senior industry figures, with Maersk's Thomas Bagge appointed CEO and Statutory Director of the DCSA, and MSC's Chief Information Officer André Simha, named Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DCSA. Commenting on the launch, Simha said: