Meratus will build a super application for maritime logistics and put AI technology into its operations following strategic collaboration with Google Cloud and Metrodata.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — Indonesia’s maritime and logistics operator, PT Meratus Line, cooperates with Google Cloud and PT Metrodata Electronics Tbk to build Indonesia’s first super application for maritime logistics.
In addition to the super application, Meratus will also put artificial intelligence technology into its operations. This step is part of Meratus’ long term strategic collaboration with Google Cloud and Metrodata to accelerate digital innovation and strengthen its position as an organization that prioritizes customer needs.
Hitherto, Meratus serves more than 40 agency networks. To support its operation activity, the maritime and logistic company has two container terminals, over 20 container logistics centers, and more than 65 vessels. These assets will provide point-to-point transportation services and networks across 35 international locations. and domestic shipping lines.
In an effort to keep up with the latest technological developments, Meratus has shifted its digital real estate from an on-premises data center to a scalable, secure, and carbon-neutral Google Cloud infrastructure. The system also utilizes Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) to deploy the application and Google Cloud’s Apigee automated application programming interface (API) management platform to break down internal data silos.
As a result, Meratus services can be accessed by customers through a single application interface. This includes the ability to view up-to-date ship schedules, order shipments, and notifications after orders are confirmed. On top of that, customers can also track the location of cargo while the ship is at sea. With GKE reducing the need for manual IT backend configuration, the Meratus technology team can allocate their time and resources to develop super new application features that add value to customers.
CEO of PT Meratus Line Farid Belbouab conveyed the importance of the industry’s role in supporting the government’s initiatives namely ‘Making Indonesia 4.0’ and ‘Proud of Indonesia-made Products Movement’ to promote economic development and improve local livelihoods.
“Our choice of Google Cloud as the primary cloud provider underscores our commitment to realizing the future of integrated maritime logistics. We will not leave out any aspect of this cruise. Google Cloud’s open data cloud empowers our staff to develop super apps with greater speed and agility,” said Farid. Further, he stated that his party will continue to work closely with Google Cloud and Metrodata to optimize the business processes and deliver a world-class integrated customer experience.
Access to detailed, real-time visibility into supply and demand
With a modern database running seamlessly on Google Cloud infrastructure, Meratus switched to Vision AI and machine learning (ML) which had been pre-trained for computer vision, language, and structured data on Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform.
Now, the Meratus technology team can accelerate the development time of demand forecasting, dynamic pricing, and predictive maintenance tools as they no longer need to build an ML framework from scratch. Meanwhile, the Meratus operations team can have access to detailed, real-time visibility into supply and demand for different types of ships and shipping containers.
Apart from that, staff can then determine the value of remaining logistical assets and take precautions when a machine or component needs to be replaced with Vision AI to identify patterns from sensor data indicating changes in equipment condition, specifically degradation or wear and tear. This results in reduced equipment downtime, reduced maintenance costs, operational effectiveness, and increased safety.
Country Director of Google Cloud for Indonesia and Malaysia Megawaty Khie said, “Our efforts with Meratus are a powerful demonstration of how our open data cloud can help regional players gain the agility needed to rapidly launch new applications, incorporating AI into day-to-day operations and achieve business differentiation.”
Further, Megawati expected the collaboration with Metrodata can be expanded in the future, primarily to improve the super app to better serve the customers, advance its sustainability goals with cloud technology, and contribute to our country’s ambition to become an international transshipment and logistics center. integrated maritime.
Meanwhile, President Director of PT Metrodata Electronics Tbk Susanto Djaja said, “Meratus has been a pioneer in many fields, from the first local shipping company to operate dedicated container ship services to starting the Nusantara Connectivity Project and launching international shipping routes to destinations.”
Susanto expressed Metrodata’s pride to be able to support Meratus’ digitization journey and the efforts to build Indonesia’s first maritime logistics super application. “By implementing Google Cloud’s advanced technology on a large scale, Meratus is poised to take customer-centricity to the next level and strengthen its industry leadership position,” concluded Susanto.
