Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) in South Africa in a move aimed at developing an integrated online marketplace platform by bringing together cargo owners, shipping lines, clearing and forwarding agents and road/rail haulers.
TPT is part of Transnet SOC Ltd, South Africa’s state-owned freight transport company which owns and operates 16 terminal operations situated across seven South African Ports..
TPT partnered with TCS to create a new platform named ”Cargo Connect”, which will function as an online logistics marketplace where customers can submit logistics-related requests and allow service providers to bid online.
Customers will be able to select the preferred proposal and award the cargo contract to that bidder, according to a TCS statement on Monday.
This will make the entire request and bid selection process completely transparent. The platform will also help customers remotely track the cargo at every point of the container journey and send automated alerts with critical information, whenever a cargo event occurs, it said.
Expected to be ready in 12 months, the online marketplace will reshape the industry and drive TPT”s growth, the statement added.
“The new solution will help us bring all logistics players under one platform, create transparency in the industry, as well as power the next leg of our growth journey.”
~ Siyabulela Mhlaluka, General Manager, Sales and New Business Development, TPT
The Transnet Port Terminals recently handled an record export of over 900 refrigerated containers packed with South Africa’s citrus fruits that were destined for the Far East markets.
