Ahoy Tradiant!

Tradiant, a business-to-business for the transportation industry, announced Tuesday it has joined with nine ocean carriers in a partnership whose goal is to simplify the import-export process.

The Alameda-based ASP (application service provider) says the partnership (currently code-named Global Transportation Network, or GTN) begins early next year. The deal means the group agrees to jointly use Tradiant’s neutral platform.

The nine carriers involved in the partnership include: APL; CP Ships, the container shipping business of Canadian Pacific Limited, which includes ANZDL, Canada Maritime, Cast, Contship Containerlines, Lykes Lines and TMM Lines; Hanjin; Hyundai; K Line; Mitsui OSK Lines; Senator Lines; Yang Ming; and Zim Israel Navigation Company.

Tradient lets shipping companies book, track and trace their cargo as well as helping with scheduling rates and contract management, cargo forecasting and allocation.

“This is just one more option for vendors who want to go to one place to check their shipments,” says APL spokesperson John Pachtner. “And that’s a great convenience.”

Convenient, says Pachtner, because historically shipping and cargo companies worked with different platforms, making it difficult to sift through information.

Tradient also claims a cost savings in the process. A recent study conducted with Andersen Consulting (a Tradient partner) estimates that cost savings from these process improvements and efficiencies alone could result in 5-10 percent savings for carriers and customers across a range of industries.

Negotiations are currently underway to include other transportation providers who may want to join the GTN.