Page 54: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2002)

E-Commerce dollar market. OceanConnect is an exchange for marine fuel, and one of the e-commerce success stories in the mar- itime industry. "Our technology finds the best deal for buyers and suppliers alike," according to the company's Web- site.

There were many e-chartering sites launched a few years ago, but only a few have survived.

ShipIQ is a company with an elec- tronic chartering platform that connects the oil chartering community and the tanker owning community. "ShipIQ provides its users with the information, tools and the platform to complete com- plex transactions online. Charterers can search for vessels meeting their criteria while tanker owners can identify cargo matches for their vessels. After a nego- tiation is initiated on ShipIQ, the parties are able to complete the deal online, leaving a clear, well-organized audit trail and documentation," says Bob

Smith Berger Marine, Inc.

Now Offers A Complete Line Of

SHARK JAWS

SAFE - RELIABLE - ECONOMICAL

Smith Berger Marine, Inc. is pleased to introduce the newest addition to our product line. Designed to demanding Smith Berger standards, our Shark Jaws are a natural extension of our capabilities and add to our long history of providing the maritime community with rugged, dependable mooring and towing equipment.

By coupling our new Shark Jaws with Smith Berger Towing Pins and

Stem Rollers you can now take advantage of Smith Berger quality to outfit your next Anchor Handling/Tug Supply Vessel.

Smith Berger Marine, Inc. 791510* Aw. s.. Seattle. WA 96108 USA

Tel. 206.764.4650 - To! Free 888 726 1688 - Fax 206.764.4653

E-mai: sates@smithbergef com

Circle 316 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com

Marine $#%mm urnnea

SlmpWcUr l« flia Icy IP mcc—

Simple, easy to use maritime software installed on over 300 vessels worldwide incorporating DNV Type-Approved Planned

Maintenance, Stock Control, Purchasing and

Project Management Systems.

Recently launched Marine Planned

Maintenance & Marine Storekeeper 'Lite' versions now compliment the full software suite for windows.

Upgrade path from many existing DOS systems

For further details please contact us on:

Tel: +44 (0) 1304 840009

Fax: +44 (0) 1304 840075 [email protected] www.marine-software.co.uk li

Circle 284 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com

AUTOSHIP SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Providing Software Solutions to the Marine Industry for over 20 Years

VESSEL DESIGN SOFTWARE

Autostructure 2.0 - advanced structural modeling system - New Release!.

Autoship 8.1 - hull design and surface modeling system used worldwide.

Autoplate 8.1 - the latest in plate expansion software.

Autopower 3.0 - resistance and powering software.

INTEGRATED MARINE SHIPPING DATA SOLUTIONS

Without integrated data, planning and operational processes, you can't compete.

And to compete, you need more than just computer programs. That's why we provide customized Cargo Management and Stowage Planning systems.

HYDROSTATICS SOFTWARE

Autohydro 5.3 - reliable, type approved hydrostatics engine - New 2002 Release!.

Autoload - highly customized onboard stability and strength monitoring solutions. 4-Dimensionai Thinking - It is Time

Ships and cargo exist in three dimensions; we help you profit from the fourth: Time.

To find out how Autoship can help you harness time, contact any of our 17 dealers or visit our website at www.autoship.com

Suite 312 - 611 Alexander Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6A 1E1

Tel: (+1) 604-2544171, Fax: (+1) 604-254-5171, Email: [email protected]

Circle 220 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com

Conley, product development manager for Massachusetts-based ShipIQ.

One of the keys to his company's suc- cess is not eliminating the middleman. "Our system is broker friendly. We do not 'disintermediate' the broker from the transaction," Conley says. The online approach also improves the accuracy by providing transaction history and docu- mentation. ShipIQ receives a commis- sion from its customers based on the transactions conducted on its site.

While ShipIQ is a neutral service,

Conley says his company is backed by

Repsol-YPF, the large Spanish national oil company and Global Petroleum, both charterers. "Cargo is king," says

Conley. "The cargoes attract owners and brokers to the site." Even the vener- able Baltic Exchange in the heart of

London, has gone digital. According to the Baltic's Peter Hill, the 250-year-old

Exchange, whose shipbroking members are involved in negotiating charters for much of the world's merchant tonnage, launched its electronic platform last summer. "In addition to providing members with the facility to search for and match ships with cargoes, the sys- tem also provides them with immediate access to the Exchange's unique array of freight market indices which are pub- lished daily and which reflect the pre- vailing freight rates for typical vessels on a wide range of standard routes," explains Hill. E-commerce providers make their money by charging subscrip- tion fees, transaction fees or commis- sions. Some provide integration with in-house systems for a few.

For all the efficiencies and economies, few maritime E-business providers have yet to make a serious profit. Some of the highly touted and well-funded competi- tors of a few years ago have burned through their cash and abandoned the market. Those that have remained have focused on their customers' specific needs. Maritime consultant John

Shearn thinks the right long-term approach will be a mix of in house e- commerce facilities and external exchanges. "But the key area where buying organizations need to put in major effort seems to be in supplier community management — knowing their suppliers, monitoring their perfor- mance and using them better, for which there is a new breed of knowledge man- agement tools addressing the sourcing area."

Efficiencies for Purchasing

A promising benefit of maritime e- commerce is the streamlining of the 54 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News