Sponsored By

GSBN expands Cargo Release roll out to Latin America

Digital trade enabler platform Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) has reached a new milestone with the rollout of Cargo Release in Latin America, starting with ports across Mexico and Panama.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

August 16, 2022

2 Min Read
GSBN container
Photo: GSBN

Cargo Release is a blockchain-enabled application offering a paperless and transparent solution connecting everyone involved at the port of import including shipping lines, consignees, their agents, and terminals, cutting time for cargo to be document-ready for release from days to hours. 

Due to their proximity with North and Latin American markets, Mexico and Panama are strategically important ports for global trade, with both Panama and Mexico amongst the top ten countries by number of port terminals.

The latest announcement marks the first anniversary of Cargo Release which was first rolled out across China in 2021 and has since followed successful deployments across Southeast Asia, Europe and most recently Latin America, serving over 10,000 customers to date.  

 “As global trade continues to face an evolving and increasingly dynamic environment, digitisation is playing a critical role in helping the shipping sector adapt. Mexico and Panama are strategically important locations for global supply chains, and we hope the rollout of Cargo Release will help further accelerate the digital leap the shipping sector is undergoing,” said Bertrand Chen, CEO at GSBN.

Involved in the rollout are Cosco Shipping Lines, OOCL and global port operator Hutchison Ports. 

Related:GSBN expands footprint in Europe with Rotterdam pilot

“[Hutchison Ports is a] company committed to pioneering innovation and modernised ports, we are proud to be one of the founding members of GSBN which continues to grow from strength to strength. This is important at a time like now when the shipping sector is undergoing a digital revolution and needs ready solutions that address real world challenges. From Southeast Asia to Europe, we look forward to extending the proven benefits of Cargo Release to our customers in Latin America,” said Carlos Del Castillo, COO at Hutchison Ports Mexico.

FJared Zerbe, CEO at Hutchison Ports Panama, commented, “Launching Cargo Release to our customers in Panama is key to our culture of innovation and customer service. As a founding member of GSBN, we are proud to be part of this announcement, especially on a time where process digitalisation has become a key factor in the improvement of transport chain transparency and process efficiency.” 

“The adoption of Cargo Release is essential to reducing the bottlenecks faced by the sector and its latest rollout in Latin America further ushers a modern era for global trade,” explained Zhang Chi, Latin America/Africa Trade Division General Manager at Cosco Shipping Lines

Read more about:

GSBN

About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

Get the latest maritime news, analysis and more delivered to your inbox
Join 12,000+ members of the maritime community

You May Also Like