CNC is the leading shipping brand under CMA CGM Group, providing comprehensive shipping solutions with wide coverage throughout Asia
Headway JSC, a Coop member in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, took part as a guest speaker at the CNC Regional Seminar held on January 17, 2024 at the Intercontinental Saigon Hotel. CNC stands out as the premier shipping brand within the CMA CGM Group, offering extensive shipping solutions that span across Asia.
The seminar topic revolved around the current logistics market situation with the growing trend for exported automobiles and bananas in the intra-Asia region. As a guest speaker at the seminar, Mr. Felix Nguyen, the CEO of Headway, articulated his perspectives and addressed global logistics challenges, presenting insights into the current status and logistics trends in Vietnam. Additionally, Headway provided an overview of the automotive industry and banana exports in the Asian market, engaging directly with the audience and responding to their questions.
The CEO of Headway highlighted, “As per data from the Chinese Customs Authority, during the initial 10 months of 2023, Vietnam secured the second position, constituting 28.2% of the banana export market share to China. The Philippines held the top rank in the Chinese market with a share of 39%. This presents a significant opportunity for Vietnamese logistics businesses, including Headway, to strengthen their position and elevate the standing of Vietnamese agricultural products in this expansive market.”
Congratulations to Headway and all the best for their upcoming projects!
This will now allow over 350 network members to directly check the availability of containers on the leading online marketplace for shipping containers
In a move to enhance the container management capabilities of its members, The Cooperative Logistics Network has incorporated Container xChange, an online marketplace, into its Members Area. Container xChange, a top-tier platform for container logistics, acts as a comprehensive hub that brings together crucial industry stakeholders to streamline container management processes, simplify booking procedures, and optimize invoicing and payments. The latest API implementation, will allow more than 350 freight forwarders to check availability of containers on this platform directly from the Members’ Area of the The Coop website.
Container xChange aims to cope with the challenges faced by industry professionals by streamlining container operations and decision-making through real-time data access and process automation. Moreover, this platform empowers forwarders to navigate global markets efficiently, offering a selection of over 100,000 offers across 1,500+ locations, enabling them to secure the best prices and rates. With a few clicks, freight forwarders can seamlessly engage in selling and leasing containers. Additionally, it allow them to gain insights into accurate container prices, one-way leasing rates, and forecasts spanning up to 2 years.
“By integrating this cutting-edge platform for container logistics into The Coop’s intranet, members can expect a streamlined experience in managing and booking shipping containers, executing related processes. The integration of their API in our Member Area will enable our members to access directly through a browser to search for container availability,” says Antonio Torres, the President and Founder of The Cooperative Logistics Network.
Dr. Johannes Schlingmeier, the co-founder and CEO of Container xChange, has highlighted a notable challenge in the container logistics sector—the slow adoption of technology impeding real-time analysis of price and leasing rates. This is why, he underscores the importance of leveraging big data to facilitate more informed decision-making. According to Dr. Schlingmeier, “Container xChange simplifies the access to data so industry participants can complement the experience and offline knowledge with the latest facts when making decisions.”
The collaboration is a noteworthy advancement that will help to elevate the overall efficiency of the The Coop members. Most importantly, this recent integration aligns with The Coop’s digital strategy, which is dedicated to providing its members with cutting-edge technological tools within the logistics market. Complemented by features such as FreightViewer, The Coop’s exclusive quoting platform for members, this initiative equips members to efficiently navigate the evolving demands of the current industry.
The Headway team operated at maximum efficiency, putting additional efforts to complete the delivery of this urgent shipment within 24 hours
Headway JSC, a Coop member in Ho Chi Minh Vietnam, recently moved 75 MG brand CBU automobiles to SAIC Group, China. Throughout this process, upon the customer’s sudden request to receive the goods urgently within a timeframe of less than 24 hours, the Headway team operated at maximum capacity. They worked diligently overnight, commencing from 5 PM on the day the plan was received, and executed swiftly until beyond 2 AM the following day.
Tracy Nguyen, the Sales & Agency Support Manager of Headway explains, “Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation is the 7th largest automotive group in the world and leads in China market. Since July 1, 2023, MG brand automobile has been exclusively distributed by SAIC Motor Vietnam, increasing strong competitiveness in the domestic automobile industry, meeting the needs and tastes of consumers.”
They successfully transported the cars using 25 40′ containers from Shanghai Port, China, to Ho Chi Minh Port, Vietnam. Additionally, the team coordinated trucking services to transfer the containers from the unloading port to the designated yard. They efficiently managed the process of dismantling vehicles from the containers, conducting thorough exterior inspections at the gathering yard.
“Headway is honored to be the official transportation partner of SAIC Group in Vietnam market. We have been constantly striving to maintain our commitment to sustainability, improve customer experience and satisfaction, and contribute to the overall growth of economies of two countries,” adds Tracy Nguyen, the Sales & Agency Support Manager of Headway.
The updated partnership will increase the current member discount to 10%, allowing members to lease, buy and sell containers in 2500+ locations around the globe to gain a competitive advantage in the container booking race.
Members may use xChange to find new partners and manage end-to-end container logistics operations. This includes services like payment handling, trading buyer protection, container tracking premium, and wallet management. Through xChange, members gain greater market transparency, avoid demurrage & detention charges and enhance operational flexibility.
With a vision to simplify, the logistics of global trade, Hamburg-based company Container xChange connects industry players. Consequently, it brings members into one simple and efficient infrastructure to help them digitize their container logistic operations. The Coop members will join more than 1000 companies such as Kuehne+Nagel, Seaco, Sogese, Ocean Box, VMR Lines, and Sarjak in revolutionizing their container sourcing method.
The discount offered exclusively to The Coop members enables agents to save up to 1000 USD on first-year subscription fees by using the code COOPQXC. In addition, the partnership between The Cooperative Logistics Network and xChange provides access to exclusive industry reports related to the industry and insights. Also, it offers discounted access to the annual Digital Container Summit and other xChange events.
The Coop has created a new e-learning platform to offer logistics certification courses for enhancing the expertise and industry knowledge of the members and their employees
The Cooperative Logistics Network has created an online academy for enabling over 320 network members to boost and upgrade their industry knowledge. Moreover, the freight forwarding courses will augment the work skills of the employees of the member companies and help to prepare them for greater responsibilities. The Coop has partnered with two internationally recognized course providers- Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA) and Container xChange.
The news about the launch of The Coop’s online academy has been covered by AJOT, Ecargolog, Diario de Transporte, Logistics Business, and Vientepies.
AJOT
AJOT aka American Journal of Transportation is a popular online magazine. It is entirely dedicated to news related to the transportation and logistics industry. Moreover, as a trusted supply chain news resource for over 100 years, AJOT published the latest news and insights from this sector.
Logistics Business
Logistics Business is a pioneering logistics news web journal based in the UK. It publishes pertinent news, reports, and opinions from the international transportation and logistics sector.
Ventepies
Veintepies is a Spanish language logistics news portal. It publishes relevant news and articles for people working in the logistics industry. Furthermore, with a large audience in Spain and Latin America, it covers news, articles, and opinions from the sector.
Diario de Transporte
Diario de Transporte is an independent news medium that brings its readers pertinent supply chain news in the Spanish language.
Ecargolog
Ecargolog is a logistics news portal providing comprehensive coverage of all supply chain topics. They publish topical news, opinions, interviews, and live programmes on the latest happening in this industry.
The news on the above websites talks about the launch of the online academy and its benefits for the members. Additionally, the news also gives an idea of the course details.
Their merger with Shenzhen Anda Shun International Logistics prompted this change of name which came about on 1st November 2021
Shenzhen Yee Zhanyuan International Freight, a Coop member in Shenzhen, China, recently changed their name to CIMC ANDA SHUN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS. They decided to change the name of their organization after their merger with Shenzhen Anda Shun International Logistics and CIMC Logistics Group.
“Shenzhen Yee Zhanyuan is a reputed ISO 9001 accredited company which is a member of IATA, FIATA, and NVOCC. Moreover, our merger will help us have even better management and resource sharing. This will allow us to provide world class services to our clients in Shenzhen and beyond,” says Mr. Ricky Wang, the General Manager of Shenzhen Yee Zhanyuan.
From 1st November they will use the name ADS for handling all their business. Additionally, they will handle all Coop members’ businesses under this new name. With the objective of providing optimized logistics solutions to its clients and customers, CIMC ANDA SHUN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS offers air, sea, warehousing, customs clearance, trucking and other value-added services for their customers.
“Reaching 300 members in Coop was a very exciting moment and more, bearing in mind it was in the middle of the pandemic”
This week we are publishing an interview with Isabel Magdaleno, the Agent Coordinator of Cooperative Logistics Network. Isabel is contacted by our members regularly for all their questions and for resolving any issues they might face within the network. She also supervises The Coop’s Agent Coordination Team ensuring high performance and productive output.
Before joining the Coop, Isabel has almost twenty years of experience in education, translation, and in international departments of various companies from different fields, dealing with customers from all over the world. She has gathered a broad experience in multicultural environments where she was fully committed to achieving maximum customer satisfaction.
Q. Tell us a bit about your experience with the Coop team so far. A. I have learned a lot from my co-workers at The Coop and my overall experience here has been a great one. My work consists of helping the Coop members from across the world with any questions or problems they face daily. I try my best to help sort out all the problems of our members and working in a multicultural team has taught me how to do my job sensibly and meticulously.
Q. How do you feel about The Coop reaching more than 300 members?
A. This has been one of the greatest achievements of our network in the last 6 years! Coop’s team also celebrated this moment. I strongly feel that several factors such as reputable and solvent international partners, a reasonable membership fee, the availability of a range of free online tools, a highly productive yearly conference, and the obligation to cooperate with other members and share a part of the shipments are some of the factors that are encouraging more and more quality forwarders to join our network. Currently, we have our presence in 132 countries around the world and I am sure that this number will continue to grow.
Q. Which is the most challenging aspect of working with The Coop? How do you deal with it?
A. The most difficult element of my job consists of responding to issues and enquiries from hundreds of agents from so many different countries. I strongly feel that timely response, empathy towards the complaining agent, and being familiar with the agent’s history are three ways of effective handling of the member’s issues. Moreover, I have plenty of understanding about dealing with people from all over the world and my previous job experiences in overseas departments have certainly helped me in this regard.
Q. How does the Coop help to promote the brands of the member companies?
A. Every Friday, The Coop publishes one news on their website about the recent achievements of a member which is also shared on our social media handles. This definitely helps in increasing the visibility of the member’s brand. Moreover, we have several other free PR and marketing materials for the members like a customizable brochure for the members for presenting to their clients, a personalized Powerpoint presentation for use in sales meeting, a tailor-made video about their company that can be used for promotional purposes and even a personalized website for augmenting their online presence!
“I would like to remind the members about the importance of cooperation within the network. The more you cooperate with other agents the greater are you chances of increasing your business. In the present super-competitive environment, mutual cooperation is the only way for independent forwarders to survive and succeed.
Q. Which aspects would you encourage Coop members to boost?
A. We always encourage our members to boost their online presence and take special care to be active on social networking sites. Right now having a strong online presence is important like never before. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are ideal platforms for promoting the companies while actively interacting with the consumers. Moreover, liking, commenting, and sharing the posts of your clients/partners/network will help to boost your company’s visibility and also prompt others to do the same with your posts.
Q. What is the potential of The Coop’s TMS FreightViewer?
A. Our innovative online tool which can be used by the members at no extra cost will help to reduce the workload of the members by eliminating the process of manual quote generation for good. When used in the right way it will provide them with one single easy to use platform for obtaining freight rates and sending accurate quotations instantly. Moreover, our IT team has been working relentlessly to improve the features of this platform and in December we have finally entered into a partnership with SHIPCO which will allow our agents to access LCL rates in more than 30 countries from the FreightViewer. Our recent additions to the platform have made this tool even more dynamic and useful than before and we are hoping that with time more and more members will utilize this software to substitute many of their manual work processes.
Q. Before concluding, is there any important advice you will like to give to The Coop members?
A. I would like to remind Coop members about the importance of cooperation within the network and participation in Meetings. The more they cooperate with other agents the greater are their chances of increasing your business. In the present super-competitive environment, mutual cooperation is the only way for independent forwarders to survive and succeed. And one way to meet all the members at once is by participating in our Annual Meetings. Our members always say that after the meetings, they have closed many deals and agreements.
The latest agreement signed with Shipco Consolidator gives direct access to world-wide LCL rates to all FreightViewer users, this project is in the line of the digital strategy designed by The COOP whith the aim of providing its agents the sources to cope with the digital transformation the sector is experimenting. The event has been covered by Post & Parcel, Hellenic Shipping news, Air Freight News and American Journal of Transportation.
American Journal of Transportation ( AJOT): is dedicated to providing shippers, carriers, transportation intermediaries, and logistics professionals with coverage of news and events that shape the world of international trade and transportation.
Hellenic Shipping news Worldwide is an Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and International Shipping Leaders in globalshipping news for over 10 years Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide.
Air Freight Newsis a divission of AJOT which publish the latest updtaes of the sector.
Post & Parcel: was launched in September 2009 by Triangle Management Services, the global mail and express research and consulting agency and publisher of the respected Mail & Express Review magazine.
After stablishing the partnership with Shipco, FreightViewer Department interviewed Morten Bach- Global Chief Commercial Officer at Shipco Transport- to analyse the current situation and the upcoming digital changes in logistics.
Speed in quoting is essential in a market where the difference between one quote or the other has become minimum. This means that, in some cases, who quotes the faster will have the shipment. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to develop tools such as FreightViewer, states Mr. Morten Bach. He also adds that technology has disrupted in logistics and everything is happening amazingly fast, changing the landscape of logistics.
Mr. Bach also adds that the speed of the market is one of the other big changes in logistics, this is forcing traditional freight forwarders to change their way of thinking. They need to find the strategy to send shipments from A to B as fast as possible, achieve faster information sharing or better order management. And this can be done using different gateways than the traditional.
Under his point of view, it’s important to become global, reaching key partners and the right technology. Being part of a network, which offers a tool such as FreightViewer, means that small-medium companies will be able to become global, being much more competitive and, with the help of technology, being able to handle much more tasks along the process, optimizing their resources. Mr. Morten says: “With the pandemic the digitization process has been accelerated and those companies who didn’t have a great technology strategy have got caught by the new world-wide situation, not being able to serve their clients in the same way or the way they should”
Mr. Morten Bach pointed out the importance of visibility in logistics in order to take control over all shipments. According to his words “it’s essential to provide several options for a shipment to the client, if you don’t give various options to them, they will go somewhere else. Clients need what they need and if you don’t offer it, they will try another option”
To finalize, Mr. Morten states that, currently, there are two different sectors in logistics. Those that refuse to use digital services and those that only use digital resources. This means that we need to develop two different customer strategies, providing service to both groups, but never forgetting that digital trends will be extremely helpful in both strategies.
Our member, Mr. Ajay Shukla, from Translog Express PVT LTD, has given very interesting suggestions to improve FreightViewer and make it even more useful
After the launch of The COOP’s exclusive software, FreightViewer Department has been receiving plenty of applications from our members to test the software and suggest its improvements. Ajay Shukla, Executive Director of Translog Express PVT LTD, has been collaborating with FreightViewer Department and is now willing to start to work with FreightViewer.
Ajay Shukla states: “FreightViewer is a very good tool and I think it will save a lot of time in quoting rates between agents, as once shared with each other the rates are available online,It also helps forwarders who do not have elaborate and expensive software to easily keep track of their quotes and approvals from their customers […] it will be extremely useful as trusted agents can share the rates and quote to their customer instantaneously”
Our member, Ajay, has also suggested to have several detailed quotes in one page and a more simple solution for air rates. All these comments have been quite useful for FreightViewer Department and have helped us to improve the tool. Following our member’s statements, we are sure FreightViewer will enable all members of The COOP to reduce time to quote and save costs as it isa free tool for members.
FreightViewer Department will be happy to assist you if you may need any assistance with the use of the software or would like to know more about the system by scheduling a personalized demo, by contacting amartin@thecooperativelogisticsnetwork.com. We will be happy to assist you.
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