CMA CGM launches digital and IT initiatives

Effective from October 3, 2022, CMA CGM Agencies India confirms that it has introduced four different inland container depots (ICDs) in North India (at Ludhiana, Jodhpur, Kanpur and Jaipur) to its digital forwarding system, which was originally piloted at two other northern India locations in April 2022.

This process involves introducing the implementation of the digital forwarding note or Form-11 via the ODex platform in the ICDs. From the end of October 2022, CMA CGM will move on to only accepting digital forwarding information, although for the immediate future all reefer shipments will remain part of the manual processing system.

This initiative is part of the French carrier’s desire to introduce more paperless transactions to significantly speed up the flow of cargo via rail, especially as greater use of block train activities is forming a larger part of multi-modal contract arrangements.

At the same time, CMA CGM (India) has announced it is using the MatchBox Exchange, a technology platform that provides empty container exchange solutions. This allows stakeholders to better optimise landside logistics operations and save on costs by eliminating unnecessary container trips to empty storage yards.

The latest developments from CMA CGM come at a time when Indian authorities are encouraging their transport, logistics and shipping stakeholder partners to move away from paper-based documents to digital solutions.

Indeed, a new National Logistics Policy (NLP) in India reiterates the need for standardisation of documentation processes and a move to single-window systems within a Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).

Shashi Kiran Shetty, Founder and Chairman of Mumbai-based Allcargo Group explains the value of this digital move. “The launch of NLP is a visionary move by the government which will bring transparency through digital integration in addition to boosting speed and efficiency. It will enable fast-paced logistics infrastructure development, better coordination among multiple stakeholders, simplify processes and documentation and boost last-mile connectivity.”

India represents a major market to CMA CGM, with the French shipping line and logistics service provider serving over 50 inland locations from its network of deepsea and feeder port calls throughout the country.