Seapower, Ariba Unveil B2B Site

China-based cold storage operator Seapower Resources International Ltd and Ariba, Inc. Tuesday established ipowerB2B.com, a marketplace for frozen food warehousing industry.

According to Shirley Choi, executive director of Seapower Resources, ipowerB2B.com is currently under development and will be available by July. The Web site will be designed initially for frozen food trading.

Choi expects the Web site will simplify the routine operations between frozen food suppliers and buyers, with customized features for individual users.

Seapower Resources plans to deploy the Web site to its Web-based China logistic network, which comprises over 10 distribution centers in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. The company is in negotiation with other warehousing and logistics operators in Asia to expand the online network to more than 20 distribution points by the end of this year.

Mukesh Aghi, managing director for Asia Pacific of Ariba, said that the setting of ipowerB2B.com is a strategic move of the company to enter the greater China region. He added that the company is in talks with several banks in Hong Kong to manage online payment.

According to company officials, the Web site will enable users to access the Ariba B2B Commerce platform, which comprises a set of integrated commerce applications and network-based commerce services.

The companies plan to provide Web site features that assist users in purchasing, finance, plant operations, sales, research and development.