Square Now Samsung SDS and HMM Successfully Complete the World’s First Pilot for Standardizing Maritime Logistics Data

The maritime logistics industry faces challenges in information integration due to the lack of unified systems and data formats among shipping lines, forwarders, and shippers. To address this issue and promote standardization in the industry, the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) was established.
Founded in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in 2019, the DCSA is a non-profit standardization organization created by major shipping lines. It defines a common digital language for the maritime industry, establishing API and data standards across various operational areas such as booking, Bills of lading, vessel schedules, and cargo tracking. These standards aim to enhance efficiency and transparency across the industry.

As an IT-based logistics company, Samsung SDS has long prioritized logistics data standardization as a key initiative.
In 2017, Samsung SDS joined a blockchain-based maritime logistics data standardization consortium. In 2019, it conducted a pilot project to link schedule, booking, and document data between shipping lines. During this process, differences in data structures among shipping lines posed significant challenges. However, these difficulties highlighted the necessity of adopting a single standard across the maritime industry. Currently, Samsung SDS’s logistics platform, Cello Square, connects schedule data from 32 shipping lines and booking and Bill of lading data from 24 shipping lines using Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

In May 2025, Samsung SDS, at the invitation of the DCSA, conducted the world’s first pilot project with global shipping line HMM to apply DCSA standards.
Samsung SDS successfully passed all 14 Booking 2.0 scenarios and 37 Bill of Lading 3.0 scenarios in the DCSA’s official test environment, Conformance Environment. Subsequently, it directly integrated its logistics operations platform with HMM’s system via API and completed testing aligned with actual workflows. Through this verification, Samsung SDS demonstrated the potential for smoother and more efficient data connectivity and information sharing among shipping lines, forwarders, and shippers (BCOs).

Based on the results of this verification, Samsung SDS is currently working on upgrading its operational environment to a full version, aiming to complete it by the end of 2025. From 2026 onwards, Samsung SDS plans to actively pursue direct data integration with major global shipping lines such as Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM.
A Samsung SDS representative stated, “This project is the world’s first case demonstrating the practical application of DCSA standards in real-world operations. Through this initiative, we aim to lay the foundation for contributing to the digital transformation of the maritime logistics ecosystem, improving operational efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing transparency.”