GEN shipping port

Kuehne & Nagel (K&N) has launched an enhanced version of its SeaExplorer online platform to help tackle supply chain disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The system uses artificial intelligence and access to big data to help customers improve their shipment planning and inventory management.

In the current volatile market environment, transparency is crucial for companies requiring sea freight services.

With industry sources predict a high rate of cancelled sailings in various trades in the coming weeks, schedule reliability is currently at 65 per cent, the lowest level in the past ten years, according to K&N.

'The new SeaExplorer features come just in time to mitigate these disruptions. In one single digital platform, it is now possible to find the best option for container shipping needs, including transparency on alternative routings and sailings,” the company said.

Otto Schacht, a member of the management board of K&N, responsible for sea freight, said: “Given the challenges of Covid-19, the enhanced SeaExplorer supports shippers not only with realistic lead times for routings, but also with service updates and up-to-date sailing schedules showing alternative departures for blanked sailings.

“This allows customers to quickly and efficiently compare options across all liner services to easily adjust routings according to their requirements for speedand reliability.'

Another new feature is the provision of detailed visibility of CO2 emissions per service loop and port to port routing – a core element of K&N Net Zero Carbon programme.

“This feature allows our customers to choose the most sustainable transport option,” Schacht said.