Dive Brief:

• ARL-Shipping has created an app accessible via Facebook that allows shippers to view their cargo en route from port to warehouse, offering real-time visibility, according to a press release.
• Access to transport visibility is gained by truck drivers using the arl-shipping.com app, allowing shippers to track both the shipment and the container numbers via the driver’s GPS location on a smartphone. Tracking is fully embedded into Facebook as an integral service by ARL. 
• The Last Mile Container Tracker sends alerts via Facebook Messenger when the container nears the storage warehouse, and also provides hourly status messages during road transport.

Dive Insight:

Supply chain visibility is a buzzword in the industry, but it's a real necessity for shippers, carriers and insurers. Companies like ClearMetal are already developing AI solutions for real-time tracking, but the Facebook chatbot is worth noting because it marries a popular social media platform to business needs.

The opportunity to track cargo as it moves off the dock and into a warehouse adds another level of transparency not yet common to the industry. There's also the matter of timing, since knowing exactly when your cargo will arrive allows for greater precision in scheduling future pickups.

Transparency comes in many forms in the shipping industry, from a need for details about a line's financial health, to the opportunity for shippers to track their cargo at any point along its journey. Transparency is also expanding within the booking process, with online freight booking platforms emerging right and left.

As companies continue to innovate with new tech solutions for visibility, the shipping process will grow more efficient and increase cost-savings.