ZIM has made a direct strategic investment in the e-commerce technology company Ladingo, which enables the personal importation of large and bulky items to shoppers purchasing from international online marketplaces.

According to ZIM, the two companies sought to provide a technological solution to the complex logistical world of ocean freight. Ladingo’s platform offers a transparent digital integration of the entire process, enabling retailers to sell all their products online, including large and bulky items, with relatively low shipping costs.

“We believe that innovation and creative ideas will define the future of the logistics industry, especially that of maritime shipping,” said Assaf Tiran, VP of global customer service at ZIM. “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.”

Ladingo was founded in January 2018 by Hagar Valiano Rips, Ruth Reiner and Guy Levi, and recently closed a US$1 million funding round. The company’s container-sharing solution helps online shoppers reduce shipping costs when they buy large and bulky items such as furniture, bicycles, fitness equipment, garden equipment and electronics.

“We are proud and pleased that ZIM, a leader standing at the forefront of global logistics, has invested in us,” said Rips, CEO of Ladingo. “Ladingo will lead significant change in the world of e-commerce fulfillment. When it comes to the revolution we are leading, item location, size and weight have no significance, and there is no longer a need for inventory. Looking a couple of years ahead, we will all buy directly from sellers or manufacturers abroad – without any intermediaries. This is the manifestation of a true global e-commerce revolution. ZIM is not only investing in Ladingo’s technology, they are engaging in a fully synergistic investment, one that will lead to a revolution within the B2C world.”

Ladingo is currently conducting pilots with several customers in the US, according to ZIM.