Portchain and X-Press Feeders have entered a strategic partnership to deploy Portchain Connect across the feeder market, focusing on real-time data exchange to optimize berth planning. The collaboration aims to drive Just-In-Time arrivals, minimize terminal waiting times, and improve schedule reliability. Ultimately, these digital efficiencies support lower fuel consumption and reduced emissions, accelerating the industry’s path toward sustainable maritime operations.
Copenhagen, Denmark | August 18, 2026 – In a major step forward for maritime digitalization, Portchain and X-Press Feeders have announced a strategic partnership to deploy Portchain Connect across the feeder market. This collaboration underscores Portchain’s continued expansion into the feeder sector, building on its proven success with both mainliners and feeders, while reinforcing X-Press Feeders’ ongoing commitment to scaling digital innovation and environmental sustainability.
Optimizing Berth Alignment and Just-In-Time Arrivals
The core of the initiative focuses on optimizing berth alignment through seamless, real-time data exchange. By implementing Portchain’s advanced digital tools, X-Press Feeders aims to achieve unprecedented planning accuracy and operational responsiveness.
This enhanced visibility directly facilitates Just-In-Time (JIT) arrivals, allowing vessels to adjust speeds proactively rather than steaming at high speeds only to wait at anchor. The resulting operational efficiencies translate directly into lower fuel consumption and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Strengthening Carrier-Terminal Collaboration
Beyond vessel-level optimization, the partnership creates a unified digital ecosystem that bridges the gap between ocean carriers and terminal operators.
- Streamlined Coordination: A shared digital platform enables more transparent, real-time decision-making for berth planning.
- Reduced Waiting Times: Reliable scheduling minimizes terminal congestion and cuts down vessel waiting times.
- Enhanced Productivity: By aligning operations closely with actual vessel schedules, terminals can significantly lower operational costs while advancing greener, more sustainable port practices.
Executive Perspectives
Craig Halford, VP of Sales at Portchain, said “Feeders are crucial to the reliability of supply chains and the efficiency of terminals and ports. Partnering with X-Press Feeders showcases the adaptability and potential of our solutions in supporting the feeder market. This collaboration marks a significant step in our shared commitment, with X-Press Feeders, to operational excellence and sustainability across the shipping industry.”
Capt. Vijayachelvan Silva Raju, Head of Global Operations, X-Press Feeders, said “Efficient port calls depend on close coordination between carriers and terminals. By working with Portchain, we are strengthening berth planning across our network, helping to reduce unnecessary waiting time and improve schedule reliability. These efficiencies support lower fuel consumption and associated emissions, reinforcing our commitment to our broader decarbonization journey.”
Driving Decarbonization in Regional Shipping
As regional supply chains face mounting pressure to modernize, the integration of Portchain and X-Press Feeders establishes a scalable framework for digital transformation. By combining real-time data connectivity with robust operational execution, the partnership delivers tangible, immediate benefits for carriers, terminal operators, and the broader maritime environment alike.
Portchain Connect
Portchain Connect is a global platform connecting more than 200 container terminals and six major container carriers to digitalize the berth alignment process. The platform streamlines the flow of operational data, such as schedules and move counts, and enables terminals and carriers to execute digital handshakes on berthing windows. This fosters earlier and more accurate data sharing, resulting in Just-In-Time vessel operations, lower bunker consumption, and increased terminal berth utilization. Portchain Connect provides users with an intuitive overview of all vessel calls, live vessel tracking, and real-time terminal lineup information, driving transparency and visibility while saving valuable time for all stakeholders.
About X-Press Feeders
Founded in Singapore in 1972, X-Press Feeders is the world’s largest independent common carrier, operating a fleet of more than 100 vessels calling at 180+ ports across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Mediterranean, and Europe. As an independent carrier, the company does not own or lease containers, acting strictly as an impartial contractor to container operators. X-Press Feeders is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 and is pioneering the deployment of green methanol-powered feeder containerships.
About Portchain
Portchain is the leading provider of berth alignment and planning software for container terminals and carriers. Partnering with industry-leading operators and carriers, Portchain creates sustainable, mutually beneficial solutions to enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainability across container shipping. Operating on a global scale, Portchain serves container terminals and carriers throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australia, and Africa.
Source: Portchain ApS