Parsippany, New Jersey-based electronic shipping transaction platform Inttra has acquired Belgian empty container management solutions provider Avantida for an undisclosed sum.
Avantida, based in Antwerp, specialises in optimising the handling of empty shipping containers. Its reuse and repositioning applications provide information for shippers and transport companies to help minimise miles driven, increase container velocity, lower costs and reduce CO2 emissions, as well as cutting congestion at ports and terminals.
Founded in late 2012, the firm employs around 20 staff and operates in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. It has almost 3,000 transport and logistics companies on its platform and works with shippers such as Cosco Shipping (pictured), UASC, Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk.
Inttra’s entry into landside container logistics should provide additional value for new and existing customers, said the US firm’s CEO, John Fay. “Acquiring Avantida advances our strategy of extending our reach into the intermodal value chain,” he said. “With cutting-edge, cloud-based technology and a unique business model, Avantida enhances efficiency and delivers substantial value to carriers, shippers and other landside transport companies.”
Inttra currently works with more than 50 leading shippers and over 700,000 container orders are initiated on its electronic platform each week – around 25% of global ocean container trade, it claims.
“We are excited to join forces with Inttra,” commented Luc De Clerck, Avantida CEO. “Together, we can leverage technology innovation to digitise and transform a multi-billion dollar market that is central to global trade.
“Inttra’s global network will enable us to accelerate product adoption in Europe and around the world,” he added.
