Ocean Network Express (ONE) has announced a new partnership with Google Cloud to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across its business.
The company will establish an AI Center of Excellence (CoE) by leveraging Google Cloud’s leading data analytics, machine learning (ML) and AI technologies, alongside advisory expertise from Deloitte Consulting Southeast Asia (Deloitte).
The new centre aims at elevating employee and customer experiences, while facilitating cross-border trade and commerce.
“We recognise that our shipping services underpin smooth economic activity and believe that we must constantly raise industry standards,” commented Kosuke Wada, Executive Vice President at Ocean Network Express.
“ONE has therefore decided to deepen our collaboration with Google Cloud and continue working with Deloitte after their stellar support during our initial phase of digital transformation. By tapping both companies’ core competencies around AI, we can drive transformative change across our entire business, become an innovative leader in the sector, and facilitate economic benefit for people and countries worldwide.”
In its statement, ONE has acknowledged the many challenges that the maritime transport sector has faced due to the pandemic and the 2021 Suez Canal blockage, underscoring the importance of adopting new smart solutions.
ONE said the partnership with Google will advance the company’s vision of delivering intelligent shipping innovations that support countries’ economic development and long-term growth.
“We are thrilled that ONE has continued to choose Google Cloud as its co-innovation partner, as it spearheads a sea change across the maritime transport industry and demonstrates the accelerated and measurable impact that a cloud-first and unified data strategy can help deliver,” added Ruma Balasubramanian, Managing Director, Southeast Asia at Google Cloud.
Last year in May, ONE started using the Descartes Kontainers solution to digitise the shipper-facing aspects of its freight execution operations in 11 Asian countries.
In its latest November financial report, ONE predicted a surge in net profit for 2021 for a total of almost $12 billion.