The Singapore Trade Data Exchange (SGTraDex), a public-private initiative, was launched on the sidelines of Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 2022 by the Minister for Communications and Information, and the Minister in charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity Mrs Josephine Teo.
SGTraDex, a trusted, secure, and easy-to-use digital utility, seeks to connect ecosystem partners in the local and global supply chains via a common data infrastructure.
Value-creating benefits
More than 70 participants have signed up for this digital utility which seeks to tackle supply chain inefficiencies. It is expected to unlock more than $100 million of value for existing participants from three initial use cases by 2026. This will come through cost savings from improved efficiency and productivity, optimal use of assets, faster access to financing, and other value-creating benefits.
More than 70 participants have signed up for this digital utility which seeks to tackle supply chain inefficiencies
The participants are from multinational corporations, large local enterprises and small-and-medium-sized enterprises. They include DBS Bank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, UOB, commodity trader Trafigura, PSA, Jurong Port, Pacific International Lines (PIL), Ocean Network Express (ONE), Advario (a carve-out of Oiltanking), Jurong Port Universal Terminal and energy companies ExxonMobil Asia Pacific and Chevron.
Sharing confidential information
SGTraDex Services Chief Executive Officer, Mr Antoine Cadoux said: “Digitalisation has transformed many sectors, but in the global supply chain and trade sector, its promise has yet to materialise. The physical exchange of paper remains the norm.”
“We believe that the plug-and-play digital infrastructure we have created at SGTraDex will go a long way to make it easy for all participants to share data under an agreed set of rules. Our goal at SGTraDex is to enable global trade to happen more quickly, more reliably, and with higher integrity.” SGTraDex Technologies Chief Executive Officer Mr Liau Eng Soon said: “By helping participants shift from a manual and paper system to sharing data through a neutral common data infrastructure, SGTraDex will raise their productivity and efficiency. Participants will also have complete autonomy in what data they wish to share with their ecosystem partners, and no one will be forced to share confidential information.”
Increasing asset utilisation
SGTraDex enables the exchange of data between shipping lines, hauliers, and port operators
For example, in the container logistics use-case, one of the pain points was the limited access to timely data, which leads to congestion at ports and various transport nodes. SGTraDex enables the exchange of data between shipping lines, hauliers, and port operators, thereby improving planning, increasing asset utilisation, and boosting productivity.
In the bunkering optimisation use-case, by allowing a range of ecosystem partners such as storage facility operators, barge operators, and financial institutions, to digitalise their relationships, SGTraDex mitigates inefficiencies, builds trust and strengthens trade in the sector. SGTraDex also builds trust and resilience in the ecosystem by allowing documents to be verified using the TradeTrust framework and distributed ledger technology. TradeTrust provides participants with proof of authenticity and origins of the documents exchanged on the SGTraDex infrastructure.
Solving common problems
Mr Cadoux noted that SGTraDex had undergone multiple rounds of testing to get to the launch stage. “We are encouraged by our live testing recently and are pleased that more participants are being onboarded every day. We urge others to sign up as early as possible to maximise the benefits.”
Mr Cadoux noted that SGTraDex had undergone multiple rounds of testing to get to launch stage
He added: “We are working with industry participants to identify problems that digitalisation can help resolve and demonstrate the value of competition, the idea that competitors should build differentiated capabilities and competitive advantage, but they should also collaborate to solve common problems.”
Reducing demurrage costs
SGTraDex is also working with partners to pilot three new use cases in the coming months, on green and sustainable trade financing, reducing demurrage costs, and increasing transparency in supplies and spare parts in the maritime industry.
Companies that sign up will be supported and guided on the integration. As an incentive for early adopters, the sign-up fee for the first year is free, after which they will pay according to usage. Companies can also apply for government subsidies and grants as part of the digital transformation programme.