- Shippers are calling for independent data to better understand shipping efficiency, improve contract negotiations, and advise governments on supply chain issues.
- Beacon, a UK-based start-up, provides proprietary data to shippers, offering insights into shipping line performance and route efficiency, supported by investments from notable figures like Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt.
- Beacon’s platform, which charges based on annual container movements, aims to democratize access to technology, offering both small and large shippers a tool to optimize their logistics.
Shipping line customers are increasingly demanding independent data to better grasp how efficiently their services operate. This demand is driven by the need for more leverage in contract negotiations and the ability to provide governments with accurate information on critical supply chain events, reports Seatrade Maritime.
Data insufficiency
James Hookham, Director at the Global Shippers’ Forum (GSF), highlighted the gap in data available from a shipper’s perspective. He noted that current data largely reflects carrier viewpoints and emphasized the need for independent analysis to support shippers. Hookham referenced the 2019 report on the European Commission’s Block Exemption on alliances, produced by GSF and MDS Transmodal, as an example of the kind of independent scrutiny that shippers require.
Beacon, a data company that evolved from a digital forwarder, has stepped in to fill this void. Founded in 2018 and transitioning to an independent data provider in 2022, Beacon collects data directly from shippers to provide insights into shipping line performance, route efficiency, and logistics optimization. Founder and CEO Fraser Robinson explains that Beacon operates independently of carriers and forwarders, aiming to offer unbiased data to shippers.
Backed by significant investment from high-profile figures like Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt, Beacon is based in the UK and currently serves under 100 customers. Robinson emphasizes the company’s mission to democratize technology, ensuring that advanced tools are accessible to all shippers, regardless of size. Beacon charges clients based on their annual container movements, allowing for a flexible pricing model that supports both small and large shippers.
Beacon has also developed a port congestion report based on its consolidated data, offering further insights into supply chain dynamics. This move is part of a broader effort to provide valuable data across various aspects of logistics, informed by an independent perspective.
Hookham acknowledges that some data analysts, such as Sea-Intelligence, have shifted towards more shipper-friendly data due to the pandemic’s disruptions. This shift underscores the growing demand for data that helps shippers navigate and mitigate supply chain challenges.
Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe
Source: Seatrade Maritime News
