The global IT standards organisation for the container shipping industry first announced by A.P. Moller – Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC and Ocean Network Express in November 2018 has now been formally incorporated, under the name Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA).
DCSA, a neutral and non-profit association, will operate out of Amsterdam, with the goal of driving standardisation, digitalisation and interoperability in the container shipping industry. The new association gained regulatory approval from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) last month to clear the way for the group to formally begin its activities.
Thomas Bagge, a Maersk veteran with more than twelve years of experience working on various process and technology transformation programmes for the Danish shipping powerhouse, has been appointed as the DCSA’s first CEO and Statutory Director.
Andre Simha, Global Chief Information Officer at Mediterranean Shipping Company, will act as Chairman of the DCSA Supervisory Board, a Board which will also include Maersk Chief Technology and Information Officer Adam Banks, Hapag-Lloyd
Managing Director of Information Technology Martin Gnass, and Noriaki Yamaga, Managing Director Corporate & Innovation at Ocean Network Express.
“For the first time in twenty years, the container shipping industry has come together with a common goal to move the industry into the digital era. With the regulatory approval in place, we look forward for the association to take up work and to begin to collaborate with multiple stakeholders from the entire value chain,” said Mr Simha.
“DCSA is working for the benefit of the entire container shipping industry; hence, it was important for us that the headquarter is located on neutral grounds, so no specific stakeholders or companies are favored.”
DCSA has previously noted that it will not get involved in developing or operating any digital platform, but simply aims to ensure interoperability of technology systems through standardisation. Similarly, the association says it will not discuss any commercial or operational matters during meetings.
Thomas Bagge, the new CEO of DCSA, will deliver the closing keynote speech at the Smart Maritime Network Athens Conference, on 9 May, 2019. For further details on the conference and Mr Bagge’s presentation, please visit smartmaritimenetwork.com/athens-conference.
