Kuehne + Nagel has launched Sea Explorer, its new digital platform for sea freight services.

According to Kuehne + Nagel, the new platform is an extension of the company’s previous quote, book and track capabilities, and offers customers a gateway to the company’s entire portfolio of direct global sea freight services.

Kuehne + Nagel’s network consists of more than 3,000 vessels and more than 750 direct weekly services. Sea Explorer takes advantage of the high level of integration and partnership with all the major carriers, and is based on business intelligence derived from different operational data, including algorithms built from industry expertise and big data and predictive analytics provided by Kuehne + Nagel’s data company LogIndex.

“High levels of data transparency are of utmost importance in logistics,” said Otto Schacht, member of the managing board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG responsible for sea freight. “Through Sea Explorer our customers will be able to access the world’s largest portfolio of sea freight service offerings. Thus they can base their respective decisions not just on transit times parameters but also on sophisticated comparative data such as service reliability and emission rating. We strive to provide the maximum visibility, flexibility and information to our customers throughout the world. Sea Explorer is another important step in our digitalization approach.”

Within Sea Explorer, services are ranked by smart indicators, based on big data technology, including a dynamic reliability indicator, emission score, nominal carrying capacity insights and realistic transit times for every service.

Separately, Kuehne + Nagel has also launched KN ESP, its new comprehensive supply chain management platform where customers will be able to connect, collaborate and manage their physical and digital supply chains from sourcing to delivery.

According to Kuehne + Nagel, KN ESP offers a modular architecture to connect international supply chain customers with their buyers and sellers, their cargo flows and Kuehne + Nagel’s physical assets and experts.

“KN ESP unique features provide a synchronized, transparent and collaborative supply chain platform that eliminates communication frictions no matter how many systems or players are involved,” said Schacht. “It is part of our digital strategy to become a data-driven value chain provider. The implementation of KN ESP strengthens our position in the international supply chain business and supports our customers to achieve long-term competitive edge.”

Using predictive analytics and artificial intelligence, KN ESP optimizes orders and prioritizes transportation decisions based on a set of customer-defined business rules, cost and service options. The platform is an addition to the KN technology suite for medium to large customers.

The Kuehne + Nagel Group recently posted a 12.5% increase in net turnover to CHF18.6 billion (US$19.8 billion) and a 7.2 % rise in gross profit to CHF7.02 billion (US$7.48 billion) for 2017.

This was partly due to a 7.5% growth in sea freight volumes and a 20.4% growth in air freight tonnage, as well as rate increases for both modes, according to Kuehne + Nagel.