Hapag-Lloyd, PayCargo, Gnosis Freight partner on new Container Payment Portal

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has announced the launch of the Container Payment Portal (CPP), a collaborative effort with logistics payment platform PayCargo and supply chain software provider Gnosis Freight.

The CPP is designed to streamline cargo movement and payment processes for customers and terminal operators in the US.

The portal aims to provide real-time container status updates, automated invoice generation compliant with the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (OSRA), and seamless electronic payments for import line demurrage charges.

This integration is expected to advance the efficiency of cargo visibility, reduce container dwell times, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve payment transactions.

PayCargo president and CEO Eduardo Del Riego said: “By combining PayCargo’s payment solution with Gnosis Freight’s advanced Container Lifecycle Management Platform, this innovative portal represents a critical step forward in modernising and streamlining import processes in the container shipping industry.”

CPP, powered by PayCargo’s payment network and Gnosis Freight’s Container Lifecycle Management Platform, offers a suite of features to enhance the shipping experience.

These include real-time OSRA-compliant invoice generation, electronic payments for faster container release, and integrated dispute resolution tools.

A user-friendly container watchlist interface further aids in shipment tracking and planning.

The CPP will be gradually introduced at major US ports through 2025, encompassing locations such as Houston, Virginia, Charleston, and Los Angeles.

Hapag-Lloyd regulatory affairs director Jason Drouyor said: “In May 2024, revisions to demurrage and detention rules made by the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) went into effect, introducing new requirements for billing, timeframes, and the process for disputing unfair charges. The Container Payment Portal is designed to simplify compliance with these regulations.”

Last month, Hapag-Lloyd obtained green financing for the acquisition of 24 new container vessels, with a total capacity of 312,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) at a cost of around $4bn.