The recent launch of myKN Booking for road shipments in the Middle East and Africa will unlock the door to that digital ambition in one of the fastest growing regions. It aligns with Kuehne+Nagel’s Roadmap 2026 and its cornerstones ‘Digital Ecosystem’ and ‘Kuehne+Nagel Experience', as an efficient digital booking process promotes convenience and efficiency.

Configuring to meet local needs

myKN’s Booking feature has already been available for road logistics customers in Europe for several years.** In the Middle East and Africa, however, several additional prerequisites needed to be put in place to enable the launch, which eventually materialised in October 2023. 

Noel Fernandez, Global Product Implementation Manager, had this to say: “One key prerequisite was the implementation of our Transport Management System RoadLOG. We completed the rollout to all 10 countries in MEA where Road Logistics is active in the course of 2023. On top, we had to ensure that myKN Booking met the specific booking requirements of the countries in MEA. These differ from Europe. For example, there are no postal codes in some countries in the Middle East and Africa. Hence, we had to configure the system, which takes time.”

Book a shipment in 40 seconds

Once customers start using myKN Booking, they don’t go back to ‘the old ways’. With the planned introduction of myKN Booking in the other regions where Road Logistics is active, reaching 90% by the end of the Roadmap 2026 should be a tick in the box.

And rightfully so, because digital bookings have a lot of benefits. Kuehne+Nagel’s customers praise it for its user-friendliness and efficiency, with one booking taking on average only 40 seconds. “We focused on making the tool intelligent so that it can learn from user behaviours, for example, remembering certain flows that the user executes. That helps them to achieve a short and efficient booking time,” Jens Bossmeyer, Senior Vice President Operations and Technology Global Road Logistics, explains.  

What’s more, the intuitiveness of myKN Booking means that customers do not require training to start booking digitally (and to follow each milestone of the order in the myKN tracking portal, which is another benefit for customers who use myKN to book shipments). The same goes for freight forwarders at Kuehne+Nagel—digital bookings eliminate manual tasks such as copying data from emails into systems, simultaneously preventing human error.

New developments underway

myKN is envisioned to be Kuehne+Nagel’s single digital interface for customers globally. This means that it needs to remain user-friendly and adapt, if needed, to changing contexts and requirements. The customer portal myKN is, in fact, constantly under development with new feature releases. 

For Sea Logistics customers, for example, the myKN development team recently launched a real-time container tracking dashboard.  And when the team noticed a demand for ‘bulk booking’ for road shipments (i.e. a feature to upload multiple bookings at once without having to manually submit individual booking entries one-by-one. This is especially time-saving for customers with many different road shipments and line hauls.), they introduced a feature to upload spreadsheets that contain this data, which is then added to their cart—ready to be booked in one click.

The only missing puzzle piece to truly be Kuehne+Nagel's single digital customer interface, is the introduction of myKN Booking for Road Logistics customers in Asia Pacific and North America. These implementations are already in their preparatory phases.

*Digital bookings include bookings via Kuehne+Nagel’s digital customer platform myKN, but also bookings via EDI/API integrations with the Transport Management Systems of customers.

**For Sea and Air Logistics customers, myKN Booking has been available globally since 2021.

Kuehne+Nagel has launched its AI-enabled digital road logistics platform sg.eTrucknow.com in Singapore. eTrucknow bridges the supply and demand of road logistics via a digital marketplace, bringing a faster way for customers to book trucks and an easier way for carriers to unlock business opportunities.

Piloted in Thailand, eTrucknow is further enhanced and expanded to Singapore. With eTrucknow, shippers get access to a simplified quotation and comparison process for domestic road logistics shipments; Singapore-Malaysia cross-border road logistics shipments will also be made available in the second half of 2020. Once the shipper provides the shipment details, its AI-enabled engine streamlines and automates the quotation comparison process by validating multiple data points and presents the customer with the most competitive quotation and route.

Real-time visibility, an important concern to customers and carriers, is another key feature of eTrucknow: shippers and carriers will always know where their shipments or drivers are through the platform’s real-time track and trace capabilities. One-time shippers will receive standard visibility with pro-active service alerts on delivery milestones.

Furthermore, eTrucknow offers approved carriers the opportunity to convert their empty space or trips into potential revenue via the marketplace platform which provides them with access to a network of shippers requiring road freight services. Interested truck vendors can register for an account on eTrucknow.com and are subject to a vetting and onboarding process. To sustain quality of services to our customers in Singapore, Kuehne + Nagel collaborated with the Enterprise Singapore to train local trucking companies, enabling them to transact easily using the platform.

“We are pleased that Kuehne + Nagel has launched eTrucknow in Singapore,” said Lee Eng Keat, Senior Vice President, Commercial and Professional Services, Singapore Economic Development Board. “The development of such platforms is in line with our focus on digital, client-centric innovation within the logistics industry. This will help trucking service providers better position themselves for the post-COVID-19 upturn, and the recovery in demand across the ASEAN region. We hope to continue working with Kuehne + Nagel, and other like-minded companies, to develop more digital innovation solutions that increase the sophistication of Singapore’s logistics industry.”

“The intuitive and easy-to-use digital solution has been developed based on our customers’ needs and market trends. The platform’s functionalities are continously evolving to create an optimal customer experience from an adhoc shipment to the regular large volume of shipments. We are very excited to be able to shape the future of road logistics business here in Asia,” said Chellan Ganesan, Senior Vice President of Road Logistics for Kuehne + Nagel, Asia Pacific.

eTrucknow will also be deployed across Malaysia, India, Vietnam, New Zealand and Australia this year. The platform is a further step forward in Kuehne + Nagel’s digital transformation process and initiative to establish a seamless digital customer journey.

The new SeaExplorer features come just in time to mitigate these disruptions. In one single digital platform, it is now possible to find the best option for container shipping needs, including transparency on alternative routings and sailings. SeaExplorer customers can improve their shipment planning and inventory management with the help of artificial intelligence and the access to big data.

Otto Schacht, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for sea freight, says: “Given the challenges of Covid-19, the enhanced SeaExplorer supports shippers not only with realistic lead times for routings, but also with service updates and up-to-date sailing schedules showing alternative departures for blanked sailings. This allows customers to quickly and efficiently compare options across all liner services to easily adjust routings according to their requirements for speed and reliability.”

As a new key feature, SeaExplorer also provides detailed visibility of CO2 emissions per service loop and port to port routing – a core element of Kuehne + Nagel’s Net Zero Carbon programme. “This feature allows our customers to choose the most sustainable transport option”, says Otto Schacht.

Visit https://seaexplorer.com for further information.

The selected topics showed a variety of interest areas including automation, gamification, knowledge sharing, and open source. The winning team presented a game that serves as an ice breaker, team building and gamified learning session – all at once. Joachim Albers, SVP Global IT Products, summarises: “At the KN Hackathon, colleagues from different departments and different countries come together to explore ideas and learn. I am impressed by their creativity, collaboration and commitment.”

It is the first time that an airfreight carrier and a global logistics provider create a direct system-to-system connection that transforms manual quotation and capacity booking process into a digital automated solution, fostering collaborative relationships and next-generation supply chain practice. Customers will benefit from a seamless experience with both companies' full digital offering, including ad-hoc quotations, capacity availability inquiries, dynamic pricing and real-time e-booking functionalities. Following the successful proof of concept, both companies have agreed to further develop the solution and to start the roll-out in Europe and South Asia Pacific.

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel, responsible for airfreight, says: "The successful conclusion of our proof of concept with Air France KLM Martinair Cargo is a further step forward in eTouch, Kuehne + Nagel’s digital transformation process and initiative to offer a seamless digital customer journey. Thanks to the new interface, we increase speed, accuracy and efficiency – to the benefit of our airfreight customers all over the globe."

Marcel de Nooijer, EVP Air France-KLM Cargo and managing director of Martinair, adds: "At Air France KLM Martinair Cargo, we keep innovating to provide connected and tailored solutions to our business customers around the world. In this context, enriching Kuehne + Nagel’s in-house systems with our digital services is another step towards the digitization of our industry."

Launching first in Thailand, a market where the road freight industry is projected to grow to a market size of over USD 31 billion by 2023, the technology-led platform will eventually be rolled out across 2019 and 2020 to India, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia.

With eTrucknow, shippers get access to a simplified quotation and comparison process. Once shipment details are provided, an AI-enabled engine streamlines and automates the quotation comparison process by validating multiple data points and presents the customer with the most competitive quotation. Customers will enjoy additional savings through promotion codes which will be made available during the launch period.

Real-time visibility, an important concern to customers and carriers, is another key feature of eTrucknow: shippers and carriers will always know where their shipments or drivers are through the platform’s real-time track and trace capabilities. They will also receive pro-active service alerts on delivery milestones.

Furthermore, eTrucknow offers approved carriers the opportunity to convert their empty space or trips into potential revenue through the marketplace platform which provides them with access to a network of shippers requiring road freight services. Interested truck vendors can register for an account on eTrucknow.com and are subject to a vetting and onboarding process.

Chellan Ganesan, Vice President of Overland for Kuehne + Nagel South Asia Pacific says: “eTrucknow is an easy-to-use web application designed and developed based on customers’ needs and market trends. We are very excited to be able to shape the future of the overland business here in Asia.”

Kuehne + Nagel appointed KPMG Digital Village to assist with the development of eTrucknow.com.

The eTrucknow platform is a further step forward in Kuehne + Nagel’s digital transformation process and initiative to establish a seamless digital customer journey.

Dr. Detlef Trefzger, CEO of Kuehne + Nagel International AG: “Customer centricity is at the core of our business. That is why we constantly improve the ease of doing business with Kuehne + Nagel. We follow the ambition to provide our customers everything needed to plan and handle shipments in one place. Therefore we will continuously enhance myKN with new interactive and collaborative features.”

myKN allows registered customers to explore shipment possibilities amongst others via the recently extended digital platform SeaExplorer and obtain visibility on all aspects of the shipment including financial data and confidential documents at an unparalleled level of detail. It offers different options to personalise features serving individual customer needs. That makes myKN the most integrated online solution in logistics.

Otto Schacht, Member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Seafreight: “This extension takes Sea Explorer to the next level and complements Kuehne + Nagel’s intelligent seafreight offering. It is the smart platform for all liner services in container shipping. With powerful features, like comparing realistic lead times for direct services and an intuitive navigation, customers will be able to unlock new opportunities for their day-to-day operations. For the first time a platform provides full visibility on CO₂ emissions across carrier and individual services. Also in the light of the upcoming IMO 2020 regulations this will enable shippers to contribute towards a green economy and sustainable global maritime transportation. Kuehne + Nagel leverages big data technology capabilities and information from operational system to grant unique insights to sea transport options.”

Users can find, compare and visualise shipment options across carriers. Information on services are validated by more than 200 million data sets per day from multiple sources, such as AIS (Automated Identification System) and Kuehne + Nagel’s operational systems.

Sea Explorer is an agile project that will be continuously enhanced, based on close collaboration with customers.

All information submitted via the portal is stored on-chain, which allows for using native blockchain interfaces for data exchange with third parties, removing the need for additional off-chain communication channels. Kuehne + Nagel designed the solution to strictly fulfil industry requirements of confidentiality and data privacy, adding to blockchain’s natural features of immutability and traceability.

Martin Kolbe, Chief Information Officer Kuehne + Nagel International AG: “The list of promises related to the use of blockchain in the logistics industry is long, but actual real-world applications are hard to find. The Kuehne + Nagel VGM Portal solution jointly developed by our seafreight experts and our IT team allows us to get a true hands-on experience with blockchain technology in an on-premise production environment and with a high number of transactions. Our customers benefit from a tamper-proof solution for information exchange with third parties with improved efficiency and higher transparency. Kuehne + Nagel engages in a number of blockchain projects with customers, suppliers and governmental bodies addressing industry challenges in various domains, as the full potential of blockchain can only be exploited when collaboratively working together with business partners. Our involvement in a consortium engaged in the digitalisation of bill of ladings for seafreight is the best example. Operating the VGM Portal on blockchain in an operational high volume environment delivers valuable learnings and expertise for the development of joint blockchain applications.”

The first version of the Kuehne + Nagel VGM Portal went live in 2016 to give shippers a convenient solution for filing their VGM declarations as being required for seafreight shipments in consequence of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). Now, the use of blockchain technology further facilitates data exchange between the different partners.

Never before has our world been as connected as it is today. The reason for this is the digitalisation that is conquering our world at a rapid pace. Africa and the Middle East are not remaining unaffected and their digital transformation is growing rapidly too. Kuehne + Nagel has recognised the opportunity to serve these growing markets and to keep driving new value chains and business models in a lean and agile environment through the launch of a new Innovation Lab for Middle East & Africa.

“In 2018 and beyond, digitalisation will provide an important avenue for African economies to leapfrog not only logistics development but also development across other sectors of the economy. Our clients and people are at the forefront of our business, and the launch of the lab for this region was the next natural progression. It is indeed a very exciting time for us in the region,” says Marcus Balzereit, Managing Director Kuehne Nagel South Africa.

Based in Johannesburg, the newly launched Innovation Lab will be focused on driving efficiency on both internal and external processes with a main focus on process automation, partner integrations as well as trade solutions. The aim is to develop a deeper knowledge of the challenges and opportunities in identifying the process, as well as the technological innovations that will help to build competitive logistics and supply chain networks in those markets. Whereas Kuehne + Nagel is able to expand its current global innovation footprint, customers are provided with competitive advantages and an organic growth can be accelerated in the region. Innovation in the supply chain management can not only facilitate the moving of goods from an efficiency and customer experience perspective but also on a safety perspective.

“Driving value chains through people, expertise and technology is a key imperative for the MEA focused Innovation Centre. Although supply chain issues are deeply rooted in the region, solutions are there. Collective thinking is the key to unlock barriers. We feel it is essential to collaborate among the private, public and education sectors as well as the growing start-up ecosystem in the region. Now is the time to call on the market to understand and expand opportunities,” says Tracy Vance Innovation Manager Middle East & Africa.

Following the growing demand for integrated logistics and requirements for lean and demand-driven supply chains in South & Central America, the LCC was developed to offer digital supply chain management in a shared environment. Based on data analytics and continuous improvement methodologies, the LCC will provide Kuehne + Nagel customers tailored solutions with focus on cost efficiency, reduction of supply chain complexity and increase of supply chain performance.

Strategically positioned in Bogotá and supported by dedicated experts, the new LCC is fully connected to the global LCC network in terms of standard processes and leading technology.

Ingo Goldhammer, President of Kuehne + Nagel South & Central America: “This investment represents our commitment to the region and our customers. The LCC will especially benefit multinational corporations with complex international supply chains. We are pleased to further enhance our existing partnerships especially with our leading pharma, healthcare and beauty industry customers by an upgraded infrastructure and optimised set-up of services and customer-related teams.”

Tobias Jerschke, Global Head of Integrated Logistics: “By strengthening our integrated logistics network with the 9^th LCC globally, we are able to better leverage our innovative value chain solutions also across our growing customer base in South & Central America.”

Seguindo a crescente demanda na região por soluções logísticas integradas e por soluções lean para as cadeias de suprimentos, o LCC foi desenvolvido para oferecer uma gestão digital em um ambiente compartilhado. Com base nas análises de dados e metodologias de melhoria contínua, o LCC proporcionará aos clientes da Kuehne + Nagel soluções customizadas e focadas na eficiência de custos, na redução da complexidade e no aumento do rendimento das cadeias de suprimentos.

Estrategicamente localizado em Bogotá e com o apoio de especialistas dedicados, o novo LCC está totalmente conectado à rede global de LCC em termos de processos padronizados e tecnologia de ponta.

"Este investimento representa o nosso compromisso com a região e com os nossos clientes. O LCC beneficiará especialmente empresas com cadeias de suprimentos internacionais complexas. Estamos contentes por poder aprimorar ainda mais as parcerias existentes, especialmente com os principais clientes da indústria farmacêutica, de saúde e beleza, por meio de uma melhor infraestrutura, uma configuração otimizada de serviços e equipes focadas nos clientes", comentou Ingo Goldhammer, Presidente da Kuehne + Nagel da América do Sul e Central.

Tobias Jerschke, Diretor Global de Logística Integrada complementou: "Através do 9º LCC global, fortalecemos a nossa rede de logística integrada, possibilitando atender a nossa crescente base de clientes da América do Sul e Central com soluções inovadoras para a cadeia de valor”.

Siguiendo la creciente demanda en la región de logística integrada y de soluciones lean para las cadenas de suministro, el LCC fue desarrollado para ofrecer gestión digital en un entorno compartido. Basado en análisis de datos y metodologías de mejora continua, el LCC proporcionará a los clientes de Kuehne + Nagel soluciones a la medida y enfocadas en la eficiencia de costos, reducción de la complejidad y aumento del rendimiento de las cadenas de suministro.

Estratégicamente ubicado en Bogotá y respaldado por expertos especializados, el nuevo LCC está completamente conectado a la red global de LCC en términos de procesos estandarizados y tecnología de punta.

"Esta inversión representa nuestro compromiso con la región y con nuestros clientes. El LCC beneficiará especialmente a las compañías con cadenas de suministro internacionales complejas. Nos complace mejorar aún más las asociaciones existentes, especialmente con los principales clientes de la industria farmacéutica, de salud y de belleza, mediante una infraestructura mejorada, una configuración optimizada de servicios y equipos enfocados en los clientes", comentó Ingo Goldhammer, Presidente de Kuehne + Nagel de Sur y Centroamérica.

Tobias Jerschke, Director Global de Logística Integrada complementó: "A través del 9º LCC global, fortalecemos nuestra red de logística integrada, posibilitando atender a nuestra creciente base de clientes en Sur y Centroamérica con soluciones innovadoras para la cadena de valor”.

The partnership will bring the two companies into closer collaboration, accelerating innovation technology with delivery execution tracking solutions. Kuehne + Nagel customers have enjoyed the benefits of Zebraxx for several years; in 2017 almost 10 million transactions have been handled by the system. Now, the growing alliance will strengthen Kuehne + Nagel’s capacity to offer additional methods for collecting and sharing delivery information, such as real-time vehicle location, photographic evidence of the state of consignments and delivery confirmation, IoT validation or electronic proof-of-delivery (ePOD) – independent from backbone systems and carriers used. Customers will be further integrated in the data exchange; enhanced functionalities on mobile devices, like alerts or ePOD via social messengers, will improve the seamless interaction along the supply chain.

Working with KN Login, Kuehne + Nagel’s monitoring and visibility platform, customers will benefit from a standardised single source for all delivery information, which further enhances the customer proposition and supports wider geographic roll-out.

Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics: “We are seeing an increasing need for improved visibility solutions to service our customers. As our environment becomes more and more digital, customers are demanding greater flexibility and options in the solutions we can offer them and all at a lower cost. Zebraxx has demonstrated a willingness to embrace innovative and imaginative ideas and transform them into valuable solutions for our business and our customers.”

Bernd Heymanns, Managing Director of Zebraxx: “We are in a long lasting working relationship with Kuehne + Nagel. This formalisation and commitment to partnership brings our companies closer and provides the platform for us to work on some exciting projects together, enhancing last mile shipment visibility for the customers worldwide.”

KN ControlTowerDynamic will allow SME customers to benefit from a scalable and efficient supply chain management solution with faster time-to-value and a revolutionary pricing model. Based on the global leading Integrated Logistics organisation, KN ControlTowerDynamic has been designed to fulfil all major SME requirements especially for customers in the industrial, consumer and high-tech industries.

Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics: “Small and medium-sized enterprises are of special importance for Kuehne + Nagel. They face the same challenges as the big corporations in terms of needs of advanced end-to-end visibility solutions and harmonised reporting and analytics. KN ControlTowerDynamic is the first product in the logistics market that is specifically designed for them. It completes our global offering. We are an active partner in the digital transformation of the SME’s around the world.”

Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics, says: ”Consumer and business requirements are rapidly changing. Anticipating these trends we constantly adapt the physical and logical organisation of our fulfilment centres and enhance our management warehouse systems. New key variables are process digitalisation, change in order profile, opportunistic inventory allocation and speed. Our customers will benefit from a state-of-the-art platform in the market, which is currently the most important single investment in contract logistics at Kuehne + Nagel.”

KN SwiftLOG represents a new mark in the logistics industry, confirming Kuehne + Nagel’s leadership in advanced technology. JDA Warehouse Management, extended by Kuehne + Nagel features and expertise, generates a unique digital solution, to form a best-in-class platform for omni-channel fulfilment. It is offering specific industry vertical templates.

KN SwiftLOG will become the global standard of Kuehne + Nagel, upgrading more than 400 fulfilment centres across the world. The major advanced picking enhancement technologies and communication platforms to exchange data with the major e-commerce players are already embedded.

“We are pleased to power KN SwiftLOG with our best-in-class JDA Warehouse Management solution, which is facilitating digital transformation for some of the most complex supply chain environments around the world,” said Girish Rishi, Chief Executive Officer, JDA. “JDA has a long track record of delivering WMS solutions for some of the most complex and variable warehouse operations, including third-party logistics, food and beverage, consumer products, retail, and life sciences industries.”

The first implementation was successfully realised in China with an omni-channel distribution centre for a major fashion brand.

With the new Kuehne + Nagel App (available for iOS and Android), customers are now able to conveniently track shipments handled by Kuehne + Nagel on mobile devices. Shipment statuses are directly displayed, with details available at customers’ fingertips. Updates can be received via push notifications, and all information can be shared easily with partners and colleagues through instant messaging channels, email and SMS. The Kuehne + Nagel App will be continuously updated to support additional information, collaboration and also operational services.

The new web-based Control Center is the starting point for the roll-out of myKN, a unique suit of online information and booking services all accessible and integrated in one platform. In a first step, the platform offers quoting, booking and tracking functionalities for shipments, which will be enhanced with further dashboard, reporting and collaboration features. Using a modern, user-centric and highly configurable interface, customers can personalise the Control Center to serve their specific needs.

Combining information management and collaborative tools, the new Control Center will increase transparency, streamline processes and simplify supply chain management for all parties involved. The Control Center is optimised for desktop as well as mobile devices and can easily be accessed via www.kuehne-nagel.com.

Designed for its growing customer base in Asia, Kuehne + Nagel will unveil a mobile-based seafreight booking and service application on WeChat, the most popular multi-purpose social network across the globe with nearly one billion daily active users, as an extension of KN FreightNet, Kuehne + Nagel’s fully digitalised platform for quoting, booking and tracking of shipments. This extension will be launched in June.

Detlef Trefzger, CEO of Kuehne + Nagel International AG: “Our aim is to be a data-driven value chain provider. By creating new digital services and interfaces we enable customers to easily connect and do business with Kuehne + Nagel. Moreover, we are working on seamless data exchange between different systems to drive automation and to minimise manual efforts, for our customers, partners and our own organisation.”

The Innovation Centre in Utrecht will primarily focus on major automation and innovative picking technologies. Kuehne + Nagel is among the first logistics providers to deploy collaborative robots in operations in line with a partnership with Universal Robots. The Asia Pacific Innovation Centre in Singapore will research and deploy new solutions on connected warehouses, with a focus on data analytics and Internet of Things.

Both centres hold partnerships with universities, start-ups and organisations to develop innovative supply chain solutions. The centres are open to customers who will get a vivid impression of how new technologies and solutions will impact their supply chains. The innovation centres will also serve as a sandbox to test and rapidly rollout new technologies.

Martin Kolbe, Chief Information Officer of Kuehne + Nagel: “We are working on seamless data exchange of different systems to drive automation and to minimise manual efforts. In addition we create new services and interfaces allowing customers to easily connect withKuehne + Nagel. Applying Big Data and predictive analytics, supply chains can be managed more efficiently and effectively.”

”The innovation centres in Singapore and Utrecht will boost our digital road map by exploring, applying and deploying leading technologies to manage our customers’ supply chains even more efficiently and effectively. The market for contract logistics services is transforming substantially due to the effects of digitalisation. With the Innovation Centers we invest in research and new technologies to accelerate this transformation”, said Gianfranco Sgro, Member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Contract Logistics.

The Asia Pacific Innovation Centre, supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), widens Kuehne + Nagel’s reach with the start-up and tech communities in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.

Mr Kelvin Wong, Assistant Managing Director, EDB, commented: “We are glad that Kuehne+Nagel has chosen Singapore as its base, to develop new digital and IoT capabilities for its global operations. The Asia Pacific Innovation Centre will help strengthen collaborations within the logistics ecosystem, and accelerate the creation of innovative logistics solutions and best-in-class supply chain practices.”

During the inauguration ceremony in Singapore, Kuehne + Nagel announced a strategic partnership with global software-industrial provider Honeywell, supporting Kuehne + Nagel’s global innovation initiatives around Connected Warehouse. Kuehne + Nagel will deploy Honeywell’s industry-leading technology solutions globally at its warehouses, including voice directed solutions, cloud-based software, and warehouse automation solutions. The partnership is focused on productivity, accuracy, and efficiency improvements.

Kuehne + Nagel’s new comprehensive supply chain management platform, KN ESP, offers a modular architecture to connect international supply chain customers with their vendors, their buyers and sellers, Kuehne + Nagel’s physical assets and experts, and their cargo flows. Improvements in supplier reliability and product availability will be enabled through control of the full product life cycle, from sourcing, quality control, purchase order negotiation and management, to commercial invoice release, buyer’s consolidation, transportation and delivery. With predictive analytics and artificial intelligence, KN ESP optimises orders and prioritises transportation decisions based on a set of customer’s defined business rules, cost and service options.

It is an addition to the KN technology suite for medium to large customers providing them with the most comprehensive response to complex supply chain needs. This includes an ongoing strategic partnership with GT Nexus.

“KN ESP unique features provide a synchronised, transparent and collaborative supply chain platform that eliminates communication frictions no matter how many systems or players are involved,” says Otto Schacht, Member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Seafreight. “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.”

Sea Explorer offers Kuehne + Nagel’s customers an easy gateway to the company’s comprehensive overview of direct global seafreight services. With access to more than 3,000 vessels and more than 750 direct weekly services, Kuehne + Nagels network provides maximum flexibility in global container transport for all trades. Sea Explorer’s unique offering is based on the high level of integration and partnership with all major carriers.

The platform is an extension of Kuehne + Nagel’s outstanding quote, book and track capabilities. It is based on business intelligence derived from different operational data: algorithms built from robust industry expertise are paired with big data and predictive analytics provided by Kuehne + Nagel’s data company LogIndex.

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

Today about 75% of the vessels arrive on-time and volatile reliability in lead times is one of the biggest challenges customers face in managing their inventory levels adequately. Through Sea Explorer customers now have the possibility to access comparative insights on service specific elements.

Kuehne + Nagel is committed to the protection of the environment and the preservation of oceans and biodiversity. Therefore the carbon emission rating actively supports customers to reduce the carbon footprint within the supply chain.

Otto Schacht, Member of the Managing Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG, responsible for Seafreight: “High levels of data transparency are of utmost importance in logistics. Through Sea Explorer our customers will be able to access the world largest portfolio of seafreight 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 digitalisation approach.”

Sea Explorer is an agile project with further enhancements to come based on close collaboration with customers.

Dr. Jörg Wolle, Verwaltungsratspräsident der Kühne + Nagel International AG: „Dieses Joint Venture wird die Transformation in der Logistikbranche beschleunigen. In unserer Kooperation bringen wir die fokussierte und langfristig ausgerichtete Investmentstrategie und -expertise von Temasek mit dem weltweiten Logistiknetzwerk und dem Know-how von Kühne + Nagel zusammen. Das ist eine Win-Win-Situation für alle Beteiligten. Für unser Unternehmen ist dies ein weiterer wichtiger Schritt in der Umsetzung unserer Digitalisierungsstrategie und der Gestaltung der Zukunft unserer Branche.“

Das Joint Venture wird in junge Unternehmen investieren, die Technologien und Dienstleistungen mit dem Potenzial entwickeln, herkömmliche Geschäftsmodelle in der Logistik zu transformieren, die Effizienz zu steigern und den Kunden ein umfassenderes Leistungsversprechen zu bieten. Zusammen will man sich vor allem auf die Bereiche Big Data und Predictive Analytics, Künstliche Intelligenz, Blockchain und Robotik konzentrieren.

Tan Chong Lee, Temasek, President & Head Europe and South East Asia: „Temasek fokussiert sich zunehmend auf Investment-möglichkeiten, die auf technologischen Fortschritten und deren branchenübergreifenden Anwendungen basieren. Wir freuen uns auf die Zusammenarbeit mit Kühne + Nagel in diesem Joint Venture und sind zuversichtlich, dass wir gemeinsam aufstrebende Unternehmen identifizieren und unterstützen können, die in puncto technologischer Entwicklungen in der Logistikbranche in vorderster Reihe stehen.“

Dr. Joerg Wolle, Chairman Kuehne + Nagel International AG: “This joint venture will be able to accelerate the transformation of the logistics industry. The cooperation combines Temasek’s focused and long-term oriented investment strategy and expertise, with Kuehne + Nagel’s global logistics network and know-how, creating a win-win situation for all parties. For Kuehne + Nagel it is both another important step in the deployment of our digitalisation approach and to shape the future of our industry”.

The joint venture is targeting investments into early stage companies which are developing technologies and services with the potential to transform traditional business models in logistics, improve efficiency and provide an enhanced value proposition for the consumers. The cooperation will focus particularly on the areas of big data and predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, block chain and robotics.

Tan Chong Lee, President & Head, Europe and South East Asia, Temasek added, “The opportunities presented by the growth of technology and its application across sectors have been an increasing focus for Temasek. We are pleased to partner Kuehne + Nagel in this joint venture, and believe the collaboration will allow us to further identify and support growing companies at the forefront of technological development in the logistics industry.”

With this initiative Kuehne + Nagel customers are able to improve the analysis, reporting and management of CO₂ emissions caused by their transport chain and thus achieve long-term reduction of the environmental impact.

For the calculation of the shipment CO₂ data imprinted on its freight invoice, Kuehne + Nagel is using the data of its online Global Seafreight Carbon Calculator (GSCC), providing instant overviews of CO₂, SO_x and NO_x emissions for FCL and LCL movements from door-to-door. The FCL port-to-port emission data is compiled by the Clean Cargo Working Group (CCWG), whose shipping line members represent 87% of the global container movements, based on the actual consumption of fuel by each vessel, trade-lane, nominal vessel size and distance travelled.

Otto Schacht, member of the Management Board Kuehne + Nagel International AG responsible for seafreight: “Our goal is to raise visibility and awareness of the environmental impact within the seafreight supply chain. This will improve decision making with respect to carbon emissions. Due to our global IT operating platform we are able to deliver customised reporting and digital solutions not only in our core business, but also in areas such as sustainability. In order to meet the customer’s own CO₂ reduction targets we can assist with moving the cargo, generating the lowest possible carbon footprint.”

The new CO₂ disclosure on invoices enhances the existing calculator and is part of Kuehne + Nagel’s evolving carbon management programme dedicated to evaluate customers’ carbon footprint for their whole supply chain including warehousing and distribution. The programme includes the Global Transport Carbon Calculator (GTCC) linked to Kuehne + Nagel’s shipment visibility tool KNLogin and thus allowing online monitoring of CO₂ emissions caused by sea, air and road transports. The GTCC not only shows carbon dioxide ­emissions but also suggests possible options for reducing them.

Kuehne + Nagel is an active member of the Clean Cargo Working Group (CCWG) and supports the Group’s goals to reduce the environmental impacts of global transportation and to drive environmentally friendly logistics. The company’s carbon calculators are in compliance with European standard EN16258, the Clean Cargo Working Group (CCWG) calculation methodology and the EcoTransIT World method.

Kuehne + Nagel has also identified a number of selected packaging providers at country level. Global customers will benefit from the advantages of local material sourcing, design and engineering complying with local requirements and market preferences.

Gianfranco Sgro, member of the Management Board of Kuehne + Nagel International AG responsible for Contract Logistics, says: ”At Kuehne + Nagel we aim at innovating systems and processes to seamlessly serve our customers and to make processes much faster, better and leaner, regardless of industries or geographies. With this strategic enhancement of our contract packaging services, we expect to see significant growth across a number of key markets and anticipate deploying hundreds of cobots in our operations in the next few years.”
 

Kuehne + Nagel’s digital readiness consists of globally advanced data structures and processes as well as standard interfaces ensuring instant and seamless connectivity for improved customer service. In combination with its global standard operating systems, Kuehne + Nagel is able to quickly respond to market requirements and to shorten the time to market for digital products and solutions. Kuehne + Nagel already launched KN FreightNet, a digital product providing instant quotation, online booking as well as track & trace for air and sea shipments. In the scope of its venture platform Kuehne + Nagel engages with startups and explores and generates itself new business opportunities broadening its digital offering and customer base.

Dr. Detlef Trefzger, CEO Kuehne + Nagel Group: “Using our core competence and scaling-up our digital mind set, especially in the area of data management and analytics, we develop pioneering products that bring additional value to our customers. We consider digitalisation not as disruption, but as part of our ongoing business evolution. Thus it enables us to continuously deliver innovative solutions that matter for our customers.”

Building on its digital readiness, product development capabilities and logistics market intelligence, Kuehne + Nagel created the “gKNi trade nowcasting”. “gKNi” stands for “global Kuehne + Nagel indicators” and provides estimates for key economic figures, such as trade balance and industrial production, based on Kuehne + Nagel’s insights into markets and data of global trade flows. This innovative product is an initiative of the company’s venture platform utilising in-house developed technology to combine big data with data-mining, automisation and predictive analytics. The “gKNi” delivers early insights into the very recent past, the present and the very near future of economic development up to 55 days earlier than other estimates on trade related indicators. It is available via subscription and targets Kuehne + Nagel’s logistics customers, corporations, governments, banks as well as investors facilitating their decision making.

Startupbootcamp Smart Transportation & Energy enables collaboration between startups and established firms to jointly explore new ideas in their industries. Kuehne + Nagel’s cooperation aims to seize opportunities for innovative solutions in the fields of transportation, logistics and supply chain management.

Dr. Marc Strolz, Head Corporate Development, said: “Partnering with Startupbootcamp gives us the opportunity to connect with the startup community and explore innovative concepts for the future of logistics. We consider this programme a perfect platform to look into fresh ideas Kuehne + Nagel could benefit from. On the other hand, we look forward to offering these young talents our expert and mentoring assistance with the prospect of creating a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Tanja Kufner, Managing Director of Startupbootcamp Smart Transportation & Energy, said: “Kuehne + Nagel is the perfect partner for an accelerator like Startupbootcamp that works closely with startups to help them scale fast and grow with the support of industry-relevant companies. With Kuehne + Nagel, our program has gained a strong logistics partner. The company will be an instrumental resource for our both alumni and future startups.”

Startupbootcamp Smart Transportation & Energy Berlin is now open for applications until June 1, 2016. Kuehne + Nagel in particular encourages applications from startups with innovative concepts that can bring logistics to the next level.Any startup interested can apply for Startupbootcamp Smart Transportation & Energy here.