Israeli shipping and logistics service provider ZIM has announced that it has made a direct investment in compatriot technology company Ladingo to expand its presence in digital shipping.
Ladingo was established in early 2018 and offers a comprehensive solution to online shops selling large and bulky items such as furniture, bicycles, fitness equipment, garden equipment, electronics – directly from overseas retailers or manufacturers to the shoppers’ door. The company just closed a $1m funding round.
ZIM said it opted to invest in Ladingo as a strategic move, as it believes the tech company is positioned to lead a global consumer revolution.
According to ZIM, today nearly all B2C e-commerce purchases are shipped via air freight and the disadvantages of air freight include weight and size limitations preventing items being shipped at a reasonable cost.
“We believe that innovation and creative ideas will define the future of the logistics industry, especially that of maritime shipping. Our support and investment in Ladingo is part of the greater ZIM vision, one of openness and the promotion of technological innovation in all aspects of our operations. We see tremendous potential in Ladingos’ platform, providing a real breakthrough simplifying the complex supply chain process all the way to the end-users’ homes. We believe that developments like Ladingo will lead to a significant change in global trade. ZIM strives to be a leader in the promotion of these processes,” said Assaf Tiran, vice president of global customer service at ZIM.
Last year, ZIM vowed to become a digital leader within the shipping industry after the appointment of its first ever chief digital officer. The company has also been testing the first-ever pilot of paperless bills of lading based on blockchain technology.
“For sure we are going to be the leader in the digital generation in this market. We are not just speaking we are doing. Digital does not mean losing the personal touch, that is actually our strength,” ZIM’s CEO Eli Glickman said in an interview with Maritime CEO last year.
The moment when a shipping line realises it is too small to keep up with the majors and moves towards new technology to control shipping instead of providing the steel and physical transport framework- another industrial revolution.