HMM advances digital shipping standards with three industry pilots

HMM has completed three pilots implementing DCSA standards in collaboration with Genesis, Samsung SDS, and HelloContainer. The pilots tested the Booking and Bill of Lading standards in live environments, supported by DCSA for onboarding, technical guidance, and partner alignment.

For the first time, HMM worked simultaneously with multiple ecosystem partners to validate standardised API-based data exchanges. This approach improved the speed, accuracy, and reliability of booking and documentation updates, showing how collaboration can turn digital frameworks into operational reality.

John Kim, Senior Manager of Digital at HMM, said, “The DCSA Conformance system verified that carrier APIs function correctly. Pilots between partners who passed conformance proved a practical way to advance a standardised digital environment.” He added that the three pilots provided real-world experience and a strong foundation for production.

In the Genesis pilot, HMM tested the Booking standard to streamline booking confirmations across systems. The pilot replaced manual workflows and spreadsheet-based processes with modern APIs, improving speed, accuracy, and operational efficiency.

In the Samsung SDS and HelloContainer pilot, HMM explored how standardised APIs could replace fragmented EDI and email exchanges. The focus was on improving data quality, alignment, and reducing delays in updates like estimated arrival times. HelloContainer, already using the DCSA Track & Trace standard, plans to implement Booking and Bill of Lading APIs in production by the end of 2025.

Mariana Bock-Losada, Chief Growth Officer at DCSA, said, “HMM’s pilots show why standardisation matters. Once a carrier implements DCSA-conformant APIs, any compliant counterpart can connect directly, eliminating costly custom integrations. Standardisation turns one-to-one collaboration into scalable, industry-wide capability.”

These pilots highlight the value of industry collaboration. By connecting carriers and ecosystem partners, DCSA fosters shared learning, technical alignment, and scalable implementation of global digital shipping standards.

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