Torvald Klaveness, the Norwegian shipping titan, has just thrown down the gauntlet in the digital maritime arena. The company is consolidating all its digital services under the banner of Klaveness Digital, aiming to cook up ‘smarter’ and more efficient digital solutions for the industry. At the helm of this new venture is Ingrid Kylstad, the freshly minted Managing Director, who’s eager to steer Klaveness Digital as an “innovation engine.”
Klaveness Digital won’t be just another digital arm; it’s set to be the brains behind developing and integrating digital solutions across the entire group. Think of it as the digital nerve center, constantly testing, refining, and advancing technologies to make shipping operations smoother and more efficient. But that’s not all. Klaveness Digital is also tasked with giving a commercial boost to already established products within the group. We’re talking about CargoValue, a supply chain management tool for sea-transported raw materials, and a freight decision support software from Klaveness Dry Bulk.
Kylstad, clearly thrilled about this new chapter, said, “Technology is reshaping the way we work in shipping and across maritime supply chains, and I look forward to leading the Klaveness Digital team in driving innovation and delivering sustainable, scalable solutions.” She’s right; the shipping industry is increasingly turning towards digitalization, especially with global climate-related targets looming large.
But here’s the kicker: this reorganization isn’t just about boosting operational focus and product integration. It’s also about gearing up for the maritime industry’s steady march towards net zero. Torvald Klaveness, established in 1946, has been on a mission to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of seaborne supply chains. With Klaveness Combination Carriers focusing on low-carbon shipping solutions and Klaveness Dry Bulk owning the ‘biggest’ Panamax pool in the world, the company is serious about its sustainability credentials.
And let’s not forget, Torvald Klaveness has been busy forming strategic partnerships to secure its foothold in the sustainability landscape. Last year, it joined forces with heavyweights like DHL Global Forwarding, Hapag-Lloyd, and others to form a Getting to Zero coalition. The mission? To investigate book and claim chain of custody approaches as part of the quest to fully decarbonize shipping.
So, what does this mean for the future? Well, if Klaveness Digital can deliver on its promises, we could see a significant shift in how digital solutions are integrated and commercialized in the maritime industry. Other players might follow suit, leading to a wave of innovation and increased competition in the digital maritime space. Moreover, this move could accelerate the industry’s journey towards net zero, with more companies investing in digital solutions to enhance sustainability.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The proof of the pudding will be in the eating. We’ll be keeping a close eye on Klaveness Digital, watching to see if it can truly drive innovation and deliver sustainable, scalable solutions. After all, in the fast-paced world of maritime shipping, standing still is not an option.
