Ortelius in Ports & Harbors - Sept./Oct. 2024
Mapping a new world in logistics. Jafar Bedja and Sylvain Naets believe their new digital platform will transform how ports connect with storage providers and cargo planners.
Mapping a new world in logistics. Jafar Bedja and Sylvain Naets, co-founders of Ortelius, believe their new digital platform will transform how ports connect with storage providers and cargo planners. - An interview in Ports & Harbors by Martin Clark.
Where did the idea come from?
Ortelius emerged from Sylvain's extensive experience in the logistics sector, which includes his time at Contralo, a cargo forwarder operating out of Antwerp and Singapore, a company he later sold to Manuport Logistics. He noticed that a team of 15 people spent countless hours daily on calls and emails trying to get hold of the right people across a global supply chain. After meeting Jafar who brought expertise in space-sharing platforms and connecting communities, the concept of Ortelius took shape. Like Abraham Ortelius, both are born in Antwerp.
The Ortelius platform
In essence, Ortelius helps move cargo from A to B with less time spent and making optimal use of available assets (space in warehouses, containers, ships) through the use of a web-based platform that connects and benefits all stakeholders within the global logistics community. The platform allows ports and harbours worldwide to become visible to the entire logistics community. Subsequently, all storage providers within those ports can be activated on Ortelius where to list their available storage spaces and services. This system then becomes a marketplace where cargo planners can find and secure what and who they are looking for in a more efficient way. By bridging the gap between ports, storage providers and cargo planners, Ortelius enhances visibility and optimises operations across the logistics chain.
Key benefits
One of our primary advantages is our non-intrusive approach to pricing and competition. By providing only the essential tools for optimisation, we enable storage providers to use Ortelius as a lead-generation tool without disclosing sensitive data. Our platform streamlines the process for cargo planners, allowing them to broadcast a single request to multiple storage providers with the necessary filters applied, saving time and effort. Additionally, our standardised port profile pages simplify access to related services for cargo planners, addressing the inconsistencies often found on individual port websites.
Smoothing the supply chain
Ortelius increases utilisation of existing storage spaces, reducing the need for new construction and easing congestion at highly-utilised docking terminals by offering alternative solutions that, without Ortelius, cargo planners may not have considered. The platform’s data analytics and AI-driven insights can help predict seasonal volumes and potential congestion points, allowing for proactive management of supply chain logistics. As ports adapt to new challenges like carbon storage and hydrogen production, Ortelius offers a part of the solution by mapping new hinterland locations, helping to distribute the load and prevent bottlenecks.
What is the next step?
We are currently in phase one of our rollout, focusing on onboarding ports and harbours, with our launch set to coincide with the World Ports Conference in Hamburg (8-10 October, 2024). Ortelius will also be exhibiting at the event in Hamburg. So now is the time to get your port verified and activated on Ortelius in support of your local port community of storage providers, shipping lines, cargo planners. Phases two and three of the rollout will target storage providers and cargo planners. Through this platform, we aim to foster collaboration, transparency and efficiency within the entire global maritime supply chain. We currently have a database of about 160 ports worldwide, open for verification and addition of storage providers on the platform.
Read the article at ports and harbors - page 16: https://issuu.com/portsandharbors/docs/p_h_sept_oct_2024_210x275_
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