MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company announced it has upgraded its e-business platform, myMSC, to include a new online Instant Quote function.

In a statement, MSC said customers wishing to use this feature will be able to quickly and easily get shipping rates for container bookings.

"Currently, the majority of MSC’s bookings are carried out offline, and it can take some time to complete a booking. Using Instant Quote, customers can generate an online quote in seconds, with just a few simple clicks, 24/7 online," the Swiss-Italian shipping line said.

With the new tool, MSC noted that users then have the option to instantly complete the booking with the generated quote on myMSC. Alternatively, MSC said customers can also save the quote or forward it to multiple contacts for booking at a later stage.

The automated quote generation, MSC further explained, reduces room for human error, further improving the efficiency of the process.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend towards digitalisation within the industry and the importance of engaging customers through multiple platforms, including through e-business. As such, this upgrade of myMSC is a clear illustration of our continuing efforts to invest in digital business transformation with the aim to improve efficiency and transparency, and to give our customers more options,” said Andre Simha, chief digital & information officer at MSC.

The launch of Instant Quote is expected to significantly boost the number of MSC’s online bookings, and further unlock the value of myMSC as an e-business platform for customers.

MSC noted that details such as the shipping window, estimated transit time, routing and the charges included in the quotation will be clearly displayed in the new function.

The new tool can be used for bookings of standard-sized (20 and 40 feet) and High Cube (40 and 45 feet) dry containers. For locations where intermodal services are available, customers can also opt for end-to-end rates from the origin to destination.

MSC said the Instant Quote function is currently only available for shipping trade routes from North America to Europe and from Asia to Europe, with plans for the addition of more trades over the course of 2020.