November 18, 2013
Contact: Larissa Fenn, Manager, Public Relations & Communications
Hamilton Port Authority
lfenn@hamiltonport.ca
Marine shipping is the greenest, most cost-effective way to ship, but it hasn’t always been the most convenient.
“For many years, we were hearing from users: ‘It can be difficult to get competitive quotes; the routings and support service requirements are complicated; or the system doesn’t seem designed to accommodate smaller loads,’” said Ian Hamilton, Vice President of Business Development at the Hamilton Port Authority (HPA).
HPA has responded by launching Marinegateway.net, a new cargo and capacity matching service that provides a simplified way to move bulk, breakbulk and project cargo by connecting shippers with available vessel capacity.
“We’re responding directly to customer demand, by making marine shipping easier and more flexible,” said Ian Hamilton.
Cargo owners, shipping lines, and other marine service suppliers can go to www.marinegateway.net to join. The service is free to use and takes just a few seconds to sign up.
When shipping lines have room available aboard vessels travelling to or from global destinations, they can post their excess capacity, notifying cargo owners of availability.
Cargo owners can in turn post cargo they need shipped, and request confidential quotes from a list of prequalified suppliers. It’s a one-stop-shop that also connects shippers with quotes for insurance, storage and stevedoring.
“MarineGateway.net fills a niche by putting top-up capacity out there for cargo owners and freight forwarders to consider, making it more viable to choose marine for smaller loads,” said Ian Hamilton. “By finding cargo for some of this otherwise unused marine capacity, it delivers a win-win for cargo owners and shipping lines.”
HPA is inviting cargo owners, shipping lines, freight forwarders, 3PLs and other suppliers to sign up to begin receiving capacity notifications and cargo quote requests. MarineGateway.net was formally introduced at the Highway H2O conference in Toronto in November.
Port Name: Hamilton Port Authority
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