Background
The initiative was championed since October 2021 by Markus Johannsen, SVP Global Seafreight and Global Head of Operations Sea Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel. This ambitious project builds on Flowfox’s expertise in creating globally standardized, fully automated solutions while incorporating region-specific requirements.
Flowfox acts as a global adapter for ocean carriers, bridging the gap between ocean carriers and importers like K+N. This capability aligns with K+N’s goal of onboarding all its ocean carrier partners onto Flowfox’s platform, ensuring seamless system-to-system communication and end-to-end automation.
Challanges
The collaboration identified several pain points in the existing import workflows:
- Fragmented Systems and Processes: Non-standardized processes and different system landscapes across ocean carriers and different local solutions make it difficult to establish direct system integrations leading to reliance on manual intervention.
- Manual Workload: Import operations require significant manual intervention, with varying ocean carrier processes and varying local processes adding complexity.
- Errors and Delays: Manual steps on the ocean carrier side, such as handling container release and drop-off requests via email often lead to delays and errors.
Solution
People
Flowfox and K+N assembled a cross-functional team to oversee the project, ensuring collaboration and alignment at every stage and phases. Process workshops and technical workshops helped address specific regional needs while maintaining a global perspective.
Process
Flowfox’s ImportFlow platform was tested through a series of Proofs of Concept (PoCs) with different ocean carriers in France and the UK as well as analysed in Germany. Each PoC demonstrated the platform’s ability to:
- Automate container releases end-to-end.
- Adapt to region-specific requirements while maintaining a globally standardized approach.
- Reduce manual workload and minimize errors.
Technology
Flowfox’s advanced platform integrated seamlessly with K+N’s systems, with a global API integration currently under development. This API will:
- Enable real-time data exchange between Flowfox’s ImportFlow platform and K+N’s TMS in both ways.
- Automate data collection and processing, eliminating the need for manual data entry.
- Provide real-time visibility into shipment status and updates.
Results
The collaboration has already shown significant benefits to be expected:
- Efficiency Gains: Across all PoCs, expected efficiency improvements for import container release and drop-off processes ranging from 70% to 87,5%.
- Error Reduction: Automated workflows significantly reduce errors in import container processes, improving overall process reliability.
- Customer Satisfaction: Faster, more accurate processes and less waiting time on ocean carrier responses via real-time process transparency enhances K+N’s ability to meet customer needs.
Specific Achievements by Region
- France: Automated PCS Account ID collection and processing (Soget and MGI Ci5) and automated processes showed substantial efficiency gains.
- UK: Features such as badge code releases, single-container releases, and pre-defined release validity / demurrage instructions were incorporated into the global platform.
- Germany: Huge potential efficiency gains identified with bulk request functionality and even more with API integration to release via PIN and future release modes. Seamlessly automate cross-border shipments to Germany via PODs Antwerp and Rotterdam, integrating specific carrier and regional requirements into the global ImportFlow solution.
Why Kuehne+Nagel Chooses Flowfox
- Global Standardization: Flowfox’s ability to act as an adapter for ocean carriers ensures consistent processes across all regions.
- Scalability: The platform’s adaptability to local requirements allows for seamless global rollout.
- Real-Time Automation: Full automation eliminates delays, reduces errors, and improves customer service.
- Collaboration: Flowfox’s responsiveness and dedication to meeting K+N’s needs during PoCs highlighted its commitment to building tailored solutions.
“Flowfox has shown enormous potential to automate our import processes with ocean carrier partners. The platform’s adaptability and focus on customer-centric solutions align perfectly with our global strategy. We are excited to support Flowfox’s rollout and are confident it will set a new industry standard.”Markus Johannsen, SVP Global Seafreight at K+N
The Road Ahead: Global Integration and Roll-Out
The next milestone in this collaboration is the global API integration, which will:
- Standardize external workflows across all regions and ocean carriers without interrupting existing processes.
- Enhance scalability and adaptability to meet evolving industry needs.
- Deliver real-time automation, reducing manual intervention and driving additional efficiency gains.
A live pilot with Hapag-Lloyd in France has already started, leveraging the Flowfox web interface. Next, Germany will also be tested with Hapag-Lloyd, after which a global roll-out will enable seamless integrations with ocean carriers worldwide by simply activating the established global integration framework.
The global API integration ensures that once an ocean carrier is onboarded, the K+N volumes with that ocean carrier can be seamlessly aligned, unlocking further operational efficiencies and customer service advantages.
Conclusion
Kuehne+Nagel’s partnership with Flowfox marks a new era of import process excellence. By leveraging Flowfox’s innovative platform, K+N is setting a new benchmark for efficiency, transparency, and customer satisfaction in global logistics. Moreover, ocean carriers implementing Flowfox, benefit from K+N volumes that will be seamlessly aligned with their ocean carrier partners onboarded on Flowfox. As the partnership progresses toward full global integration, K+N is prepared to lead the industry into a future of seamless automation and unparalleled service.