Digital Platforms

Digital Platforms

UAE Leads Globally with 69% of Firms Planning Digital Supply Chain Finance Investment

The UAE ranks first globally among 27 markets for planned digital supply chain finance investment, with 69% of local businesses planning deployment within three to five years, per Standard Chartered’s Future of Trade report. The UAE also leads in anticipated cost reductions from digitalisation — including a 10%+ cut in logistics coordination costs — and shows outsized gains in supplier resilience (+26 percentage points year-on-year) and digital adoption benefits (90% report faster disruption response vs. 83% globally). The report projects global trade could rise by 6.9%, or US$2.8 trillion, by 2031 under accelerated digitalisation.

2026-09-09

Digital Platforms

CMA CGM, RSGT to invest $434M in Jeddah Terminal 4

CMA CGM and Saudi operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) will invest $434 million (1.6 billion riyals) to build Terminal 4 at Jeddah’s Islamic Port, adding 2.6 million TEUs of annual capacity. The project, signed in Paris with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Emmanuel Macron present, aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transportation and Logistics Strategy. It includes deep-water docks, ten new STS cranes, and systems to handle the world’s largest container ships — timed with the Red Sea corridor’s post-2023 recovery. Mawani, RSGT, and CMA CGM jointly emphasize the deal’s role in boosting Saudi Arabia’s global logistics standing.

2026-08-27

Digital Platforms

project44 launches LSP44 AI unit, splits operations

Chicago-based project44 has split into two independent businesses as of July 14, 2026: the original project44 serving enterprise shippers, and LSP44—a new AI-dedicated platform for logistics service providers. LSP44 processes 2.3 million shipment events per hour, reduced manual tendering time by 68% in pilots, and launches commercially in Q3 2026. The move reflects accelerating AI adoption among LSPs, which grew 41% year-over-year in 2026 per the 37th State of Logistics Report. Early deployments are underway in Chicago, Dallas, and Rotterdam.

2026-08-09

Digital Platforms

Mahindra to IPO Last Mile Mobility in H2 2027, merges truck unit with SML

Mahindra & Mahindra confirmed its Last Mile Mobility electric three-wheeler business remains on track for an IPO in H2 2027. Simultaneously, it merged its Truck and Bus Division into SML Mahindra via a slump sale set for completion in FY27, retaining 59% of the combined entity. Group CEO Anish Shah described the move as part of a 'platform over exit' strategy, aiming to build scalable, listed businesses. Executive Rajesh Jejurikar noted the integration will enhance competitiveness against Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland. The company already operates multiple listed subsidiaries, including Mahindra Logistics and Mahindra Holidays.

2026-07-31

Digital Platforms

ASUENE acquires UK carbon platform Secaro, serves 56,000 clients

ASUENE has acquired UK-based Secaro, a supply chain carbon management platform serving over 8,000 companies across 90 countries, including Toyota, Honda, and GM. The deal — ASUENE’s eighth acquisition — follows a July 2025 alliance and expands its reach ahead of EU CSRD reporting deadlines in 2028 and UK ISSB-aligned rules starting in 2027. ASUENE’s customer base has doubled to 56,000 across Japan, Asia, North America, and Europe. Secaro, formerly Manufacture 2030, brings deep supplier engagement capabilities to complement ASUENE’s AI sustainability infrastructure.

2026-07-29

Digital Platforms

GOL inks ULD management deal with Jettainer for 700 daily flights

Brazilian airline GOL Linhas Aéreas has partnered with Jettainer to manage its unit load device (ULD) fleet digitally, covering 700 daily flights and 30 million annual passengers. The deal includes JettainerNG cloud platform integration and supports GOL’s upcoming intercontinental operations using five Airbus A330-900 aircraft. Jettainer now serves all Abra Group airlines — Avianca, GOL, and Wamos Air — aiming to streamline ULD operations and cut costs. Executives from both companies cited enhanced cargo safety, asset utilization, and regional scalability as key benefits.

2026-07-27

Digital Platforms

project44 splits into two AI-focused businesses

Chicago-based project44 has split into two independent businesses as of July 14, 2026: the original project44 continues serving enterprise shippers as a Decision Intelligence Platform, while the newly launched LSP44 focuses exclusively on logistics service providers with an AI-native platform. LSP44 processes over 45 million daily API calls, handles 12,400+ carrier relationships, and achieved 68% reduction in manual intervention during Q2 2026 pilots. Only 13% of freight forwarders rate their decision-making as excellent, underscoring demand for specialized AI tools. LSP44’s usage-based pricing and deep TMS integrations target a logistics tech market growing 21.4% YoY.

2026-07-25

Digital Platforms

Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia PCB Output to Hit $13.4B in 2026

Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia are projected to produce $13.4 billion worth of printed circuit boards (PCBs) in 2026 — up from $11.3 billion in 2025 — according to the Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA). Driven by AI server demand and geopolitical supply chain diversification, Thailand leads with $6.09 billion, Vietnam follows with $4.9 billion (+18.1% YoY), and Malaysia reaches $2.41 billion (+15.3%). Foreign investment dominates expansion, with local manufacturers contributing just ~1% of global output. Key players include Google, Microsoft, AT&S, Elite Material Co., Qualcomm, and Hon Hai.

2026-07-21

Digital Platforms

Green Project acquires Optera to unify carbon accounting platform

Green Project Technologies acquired Optera on July 15, 2026, to build an AI-powered climate management platform unifying carbon accounting and supply chain decarbonization. The deal follows Green Project’s 2025 acquisition of Emitwise and its June 2026 acquisition of Zeroute. It responds to tightening regulations including California’s SB 253, the EU’s CSRD, and CBAM — all converting voluntary sustainability reporting into legal mandates by 2026–2027. Scope 3 emissions remain the largest disclosure and mitigation challenge, and Sam Stark, CEO of Green Project, stated the new platform moves enterprises “from measurement to action.” Green Project operates under Dutch parent ACT Group.

2026-07-17

Digital Platforms

Project44 splits into Project44 and LSP44 for shippers, LSPs

Supply chain visibility firm Project44 has split into two independent businesses: Project44, serving enterprise shippers with a decision intelligence platform, and LSP44, a new entity focused exclusively on logistics service providers (LSPs). Founded in 2014, Project44’s original product was a real-time API for brokers, forwarders, and 3PLs. CEO Jett McCandless stated the split reflects a strategic return to those roots, delivering over a decade of network, data, and trust via AI agents that act—not just observe. The separation addresses fundamental differences in how shippers and LSPs consume visibility technology.

2026-07-15

Digital Platforms

Assent acquires IPOINT to unify automotive compliance, lifecycle data

Ottawa-based Assent acquired German software provider IPOINT—the company's first acquisition since its 2010 founding. IPOINT, established in 2001 and based in Reutlingen, Germany, brings deep automotive compliance and lifecycle assessment expertise. The deal accelerates Assent’s EU expansion and unifies supply chain compliance with material intelligence on a single AI-powered platform. CEO Michael Southworth emphasized eliminating fragmented data silos. Integration supports CSDDD, CBAM, and ISO 28000 requirements, with early users reporting 40% faster audit prep. IPOINT’s 120+ employees retain roles post-acquisition.

2026-07-13

Digital Platforms

Hutchison Ports inks twin MoUs with Midea, TCL for green supply chains

Hutchison Ports has signed two memoranda of understanding with Chinese manufacturers Midea Group and TCL Industries to enhance supply chain resilience, advance green shipping, and accelerate digital transformation. The Midea partnership spans two years and targets 1.5 million teu of global shipping volume by 2027, anchored at Yantian International Container Terminals. TCL’s agreement prioritizes carbon reduction and digital integration, with 40% of its national exports already flowing through Yantian. Both collaborations integrate Hutchison’s global terminal network with the manufacturers’ overseas production footprints across Thailand, Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam, and Mexico.

2026-07-11