Ship4wd transforms digital freight forwarding with an innovative solution for SMBs

The digital freight forwarding market is probably one of the least talked about markets in the tech industry. That should come as a surprise, given that it’s currently valued at $3.8 billion and is expected to grow to $33.7 billion by 2032. The driving factor behind this growth is the continued rise of e-commerce and evolving consumer expectations, which now require shipping to be fast and efficient, all the time.

Online retailers and e-commerce owners looking to keep up are increasingly relying on partners along the supply chain to help them out. That’s where digital freight forwarding and the infusion of tech in the shipping process become so crucial.

Enter Ship4wd, an innovative startup in the shipping and logistics industry, that is making global shipping simpler, more affordable, and more accessible to small and mid-sized businesses.

Introduced in 2021, the company is emerging as a pioneer in the digital freight forwarding industry, offering SMBs an online platform where they can instantly source shipping quotes, book, and manage shipments, and even access crucial funding.

Ship4wd was established by ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, a global asset-light container liner shipping company and one of the world’s biggest, known for its innovative services and software.

The ZIM brand already offers companies a range of digital logistics tools, from the ZIMonitor for cargo tracking to the eZ Quote system. Ship4wd leverages ZIM’s vast experience and knowledge of the shipping industry to deliver a one-stop-shop digital platform specifically tuned to the needs of SMBs, helping them navigate the complex world of international shipping and streamline their logistics operations.

Leveling the playing field for SMBs

According to CEO Carmit Glik, Ship4wd was designed to simplify international shipping and support SMBs on their path to global growth. Glik brings more than 22 years of industry experience to the role of CEO, drawing on her work with major logistics and shipping organizations like Cogoport, Damco, and the Dock.

Both Glik and the ZIM team identified a clear demand for intuitive freight forwarding solutions that helped smaller businesses navigate the complexities of international shipping. According to Glik, the idea behind the platform came from a culmination of her 25-year journey working with the largest companies in the shipping industry.

It was clear to her that while various freight forwarding services were available, no one was providing a service specifically designed for SMBs. This meant many smaller companies were struggling to find the right shipping solutions, and often overpaying for their logistics services. Glik decided to dedicate her career to addressing the challenges faced by these smaller organizations and ensuring they could access the same quality of logistics services as larger brands.

The Ship4wd core platform

Ship4wd has come a long way since it was initially launched in 2021. The more the company has learned about its SMB target audience, the more they’ve introduced new services and solutions designed to solve its evolving logistics pain points.

The core solution offered by Ship4wd is its digital freight forwarding platform. This gives SMBs the tools they need to view and compare a range of fully detailed quotes for different types of shipping, and book shipment dates with just a couple of clicks. Most importantly, the platform enables companies to access guaranteed rates and allocation, as well as door-to-door delivery options with FCL, LCL, and air freight shipping services.

The platform even includes tracking capabilities, ensuring business leaders can track the position of their shipments in real-time. Teams can also have notifications automatically sent to their email inbox as their products progress through the supply chain.

Ship4wd also takes a unique approach to customer service, ensuring all of its clients can access 24/7 support from real human experts.

Helping ease the process of international shipping

Building on the benefits offered by its core platform, Ship4wd also offers companies a range of essential financial services and access to expert support. Companies can access additional services on-demand, such as:

• Customs clearance: Ship4wd can offer companies a 24/7 customs broker service, with real-time tracking capabilities, an import duty calculator for estimating customs charges, and full digitization of all their crucial customs documents.
• Cargo insurance: Small businesses can secure and protect their shipments with Ship4wd’s all-risk insurance service, which offers up to $2 million in coverage, with policy fees starting as low as $20.
• Pre-shipment inspection: Ship4wd’s experts can conduct pre-shipment inspections for business leaders, with cargo manufacturing and loading quality assurance, and simple, straightforward reports.

Additionally, the company helps small businesses preserve a healthy cash flow with a range of financial solutions. In 2023, Ship4wd introduced a credit line service, offering SMBs access to up to $10,000 in flexible financing. Companies can access this credit line immediately upon registration with the platform, with no pre-payments, no collateral, and no guarantee required.

This credit line offering builds on Ship4wd’s existing range of financial solutions, such as its “buy now pay later” option, which allows companies to pay for shipments up to 90 days after their delivery date. This helps smaller companies maintain a consistent, healthy cash flow and keep operations running smoothly, even when they have a limited budget to work with.

Plus, Ship4wd makes it easy to pay for shipments online, with support for all major banks and credit cards across the US and Canada. This marks a significant shift in the shipping and logistics industry, which traditionally required business owners to use paper checks and outside banking vendors.

Transforming shipping and growth for SMBs

In the past, navigating the complexities of international shipping and enabling global growth has been a complex and expensive process for SMBs. The rise of digital freight forwarding has changed that, and Ship4wd has chosen to focus on securing smaller companies access to the resources and tools they need to streamline their shipping processes.