Kaleris floats Cargo Data Exchange Hub

The goal of the Cargo Data ­Exchange Hub is to create a “shared data foundation designed to help carriers, terminals and ­vessels work from consistent ­operational data when preparing for and executing a port call”.

At the SMM (Shipbuilding, Machinery and Marine Technology) conference in Hamburg on 1 September 2026, Kaleris previewed its vision for a new Cargo Data Exchange Hub. WorldCargo News spoke with Kaleris about its vision for the new hub and how shared data could connect carriers, terminals and other stakeholders in a way that makes it easier to share accurate data.

The intermodal container industry was built on the foundation of moving goods in standard sized containers across three modes of transport: vessels, trucks and trains. To make this possible ‘international’ containers have standard dimensions and corner castings built to an ISO standard in fixed locations. That standardisation means twistlocks can be built and fitted to a wide variety of attachments under cranes and mobile equipment to lift the containers from the top, and to secure them to other containers and equipment.

The data on where those containers are located, how heavy they are, and when and where they will be moved is, however, not standardised. While there are standard EDI messages such as BAPLIE files that are used to exchange data for some parts of the planning process, other data lack standardisation. Furthermore, the data is used across disparate systems that are owned by multiple parties.

This story was originally published by World Cargo News. Read the full story at World Cargo News →