Freight Forwarders Mitigate COVID-19 Ocean Shipment Disruptions Using Cloud-based Descartes Solutions

Rhea-AI Summary

Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq: DSGX) announced that freight forwarders like Aqualine International and E.T.H. Cargo Services are enhancing their operational responsiveness amid COVID-19 disruptions by utilizing Descartes' cloud-based solutions. These solutions enable these companies to streamline back office operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and monitor shipping patterns effectively. The reports highlight significant operational improvements such as the transition to remote work without affecting customer shipments and increased compliance with U.S. regulations, thereby positioning Descartes favorably during ongoing logistics challenges.

Positive

• Freight forwarders utilizing Descartes' cloud solutions report improved operational efficiency during COVID-19.
• Aqualine International transitioned to remote work in under 24 hours, ensuring no disruption to shipments.
• E.T.H. Cargo Services benefited from enhanced compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements.

Negative

• None.

WATERLOO, Ontario, May 12, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Descartes Systems Group (Nasdaq: DSGX) (TSX:DSG), the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that freight forwarders, such as California’s Aqualine International and Puerto Rico’s E.T.H. Cargo Services, are improving their responsiveness to interruptions in the transport of ocean cargo due to COVID-19 by using Descartes’ cloud-based solutions to streamline back office operations, regulatory compliance, security filings, and global trade flow analysis.  

“We provide freight forwarding services that cover all of the major ports in the world and have always done so as an office-based business,” said Makiko Yamamoto, Managing Director at Aqualine International. “Thanks to Descartes’ cloud-based forwarding solution with role-based access and document sharing capabilities, we transitioned the full organization to work-from-home in less than 24 hours with absolutely no disruption to customer shipments and taking into account an increase in essential products and medical supply shipments.”

“On top of facilitating remote work, Descartes’ cloud-based compliance solutions help keep us compliant with U.S. regulatory authorities by streamlining the customs declarations process for ocean shipments arriving in Puerto Rico, as well as the security filings we are required to file for shipments to Japan,” said Sascha Herzig, President at E.T.H. Cargo Services. “We’re also now using Descartes’ global trade intelligence solution to analyze dramatic fluctuations in shipping patterns so that we can monitor volumes with existing customers and identify new sales opportunities.”

Descartes provides forwarders with a comprehensive suite of cloud-based back office, regulatory compliance and global trade solutions. These solutions help forwarders operate effectively in a distributed environment, streamline operations, and meet security and declaration filing requirements. Descartes’ global trade intelligence solutions give forwarders a detailed view of worldwide shipping flows to understand customer and market activity to support sales efforts.

“We’re honored that our solutions are helping Aqualine and E.T.H. Cargo to improve control over shipment volatility, keep goods moving across borders, and enhance safety for employees,” said Scott Sangster, Vice President, Global Logistics Service Providers at Descartes. “As the effects of COVID-19 continue to alter shippers’ logistics and supply chains around the world, Descartes’s cloud-based solutions can help freight forwarders better manage the impact on their operations by digitizing workflows and providing advanced capabilities to expedite customs clearance, security filings and global trade intelligence.”

About Aqualine International

Established in 2006, Aqualine International is a Non-Vessel Operation Common Carrier (NVOCC) and fully compliant with Federal Maritime Commission requirements as a Bonded Ocean Transport Intermediary (OTI). With more than 30 official agents in various countries, we cover all the major ports in the world. Agents are carefully selected for their high standards of professionalism and reliability in handling customers’ comprehensive logistics needs. We never stop increasing our understanding of the industry, we have a very experienced and knowledgeable team, and we are on our way to expanding even further. For more information, visit www.aqualineusa.com.

About E.T.H. Cargo Services

Located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, E.T.H. Cargo Services is a total solutions logistics service provider that represents logistics providers and forwarders across the globe who have no direct presence in Puerto Rico. The company is also a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) compliant with the Federal Maritime Commission. Founded in 2001, E.T.H. Cargo has continued to grow and, today, offers a wide range of transport and warehousing solutions. With a dedicated and highly trained team who assist in handling shipments across all industries, we strive to build and maintain strong customer relationships by exceeding all expectations while focusing on optimizing the overall transportation chain, identifying process improvements, and overseeing their practical implementation. For more information, visit www.ethcargo.com.

About Descartes

Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, performance and security of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, schedule, track and measure delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world's largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Global Media Contact
Mavi Silveira                                                                    
Tel: +1(800) 419-8495 ext. 202416                                
msilveira@descartes.com 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") that relate to Descartes' solution offering and potential benefits derived therefrom; and other matters. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the factors and assumptions discussed in the section entitled, "Certain Factors That May Affect Future Results" in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and other securities commissions across Canada including Descartes most recently filed management's discussion and analysis. If any such risks actually occur, they could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In that case, the trading price of our common shares could decline, perhaps materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purposes of providing information about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. 

FAQ

How is Descartes Systems Group (DSGX) helping freight forwarders during COVID-19?

Descartes is providing cloud-based solutions enabling freight forwarders to improve operational efficiency, manage disruptions, and ensure compliance.

What companies are using Descartes' solutions?

Freight forwarders such as Aqualine International and E.T.H. Cargo Services are utilizing Descartes' cloud-based solutions.

What are the benefits of Descartes' cloud-based solutions for logistics?

These solutions help in streamlining operations, enhancing regulatory compliance, and providing insight into global trade patterns.

What challenges are freight forwarders facing during COVID-19?

Freight forwarders are dealing with disruptions in transport and shipping patterns, requiring improved responsiveness and adaptability.

What is the impact of Descartes' solutions on shipment operations?

The solutions have improved shipment control, enabled remote operations, and ensured compliance, even during increased demand for essential goods.