Dive Brief:

• Maersk ​will integrate data feeds from its supply chain management products into Vandegrift's cloud-based customs system, creating a platform to coordinate customs filings in the U.S. and Canada using one broker, according to a press release emailed to Supply Chain Dive.
• The news follows Maersk's acquisition of customs broker Vandegrift in February. Maersk will rebrand the current system, called VFI Track, as Maersk Customs Navigator. 
• "Other exciting features will be announced shortly which are designed to create simplicity and transparency," Mark Zeitlin, president of Vandegrift, said in a statement, without offering further details on what the "exciting features" could entail.

Dive Insight:

Since Søren Skou came on as head honcho at Maersk, the Danish company has taken a targeted approach to create end-to-end logistics services centered around customer service and ease of use. 

Customs is just one aspect of the business where Maersk seeks to make shippers' lives easier.

Instead of different systems for different countries, Maersk claims its latest tool provides "seamless information flow" using just one broker. Managing multiple data sets can be time consuming and costly for shippers, and a one-stop-shop option could save time and money.

In April, Maersk announced the launch of an digital customs clearance platform, which displays pricing for import and export declarations online, eliminating the need for Maersk to manually provide shippers with a quote. The goal was similar to the latest Maersk Customs Navigator: save time. Vincent Clerc, chief commercial officer of Maersk, said online customs clearance could save three to five minutes per quote. 

In addition to putting all information in one spot, the integration of data feeds gives Maersk customers access to real-time reporting. Visibility (or the lack thereof) has been a problem for shippers, with some indicating the lack of transparency hinders planning capabilities. Access to real-time tracking information could eliminate issues with planning that spiral into other problems, such as detention and demurrage.