In the intricate web of global logistics, optimising supply chain processes is crucial for sustainability. A significant yet often overlooked issue is the prevalence of container dry runs. Traditionally, a shipping container is de-stuffed at the importer’s location and then travels long distances for quality checks and maintenance at a yard, adding multiple redundant legs to its journey. With over 800 million dry runs occurring globally, the financial and environmental costs are staggering. Annually, these empty trips generate massive amounts of CO2 emissions and waste billions in fuel costs. For example, India alone experiences over 17 million empty trips each year, resulting in more than 2 million tonnes of carbon emissions and over US$2 billion in fuel wastage.

MatchLog has embarked on a transformative journey to eliminate these dry runs and revolutionise the supply chain for the world's fleet. Leveraging their proprietary technologies such as the Transport Management System (TMS), MatchLog integrated Street Turn Yard (MiSTY), and Street Turn Finder to Optimise and Decarbonise the Supply Chain (STinder), MatchLog ingeniously matches export cargo to ideal import containers that are on their return leg to ports. This approach in eliminating dry runs not only enhances operational efficiency but also significantly boosts the financial bottom line for businesses, with some experiencing up to 15% growth in profitability on street turn boxes*. 

To date, MatchLog has engaged with over 600 unique customers, including major industry players like Hapag-Lloyd, achieving a total lifetime carbon savings of 40,000 million tonnes (MT). Each year, the company enhances the visibility of more than 100,000 trailers, which allows their entire customer base to realise cost savings amounting to USD$ 10m^ annually.

The Founding Story

MatchLog was founded when Dhruv Taneja (Co-Founder and CEO), who had extensive experience establishing India’s largest container depot chain and observing the issue of dry runs, decided to create a more efficient logistics system. His vision quickly led to the creation of the innovative startup, MatchLog. He was soon joined by Abhishek Baheti (Co-Founder and CSO), Harsh Vardhan (Co-Founder and CBO), and Manish Singh (Co-Founder and CPTO), who were all drawn by the startup's potential.

Fig. 1. MatchLog’s Founding Team. From left to right: Harsh Vardhan (Co-Founder and CBO, Dhruv Taneja (Co-Founder and CEO), Manish Singh (Co-Founder and CPTO), and Abhishek Baheti (Co-Founder and CSO).

Their combined expertise – Dhruv's deep industry knowledge, Abhishek's skills in port optimisation and networking, Manish's technological innovations in shipping, and Harsh’s background as an exporter – formed the foundation of MatchLog’s pioneering team.

Early Beginnings

Initially, the concept of reducing dry runs was met with scepticism. Many potential customers were unaware of the severity of the issue, which hindered their interest in MatchLog’s solution. The founders doubled down on educating the industry, one client call at a time, which gradually progressed to increased adoption. 

Tackling such a widespread industry issue involves the communication, coordination, and buy-in from multiple stakeholders, including Importers, Exporters, Freight Forwarders, Carriers, and Truckers in each of the domestic trade lanes where the cargo is either stuffed or de-stuffed. MatchLog’s initial strategy involved a small-scale targeted pilot with a major shipping line, before identifying their ideal customer profile and shortlisting a few key import-carrying 3PLs to work with.

Fig. 2. Mock-up of a container’s journey on MatchLog’s platform. The page provides up-to-date milestones throughout the journey including date/time at port, de-stuffing, stuffing, and port.

To the team’s delight, the pilot results paralleled their claims of substantial savings and efficiency improvements, ultimately showing a reduction in the average dwell time of containers from 37 days to 16 days; this dramatically improved the visibility and availability of container logistics.

Growth and Evolution

Since its early days, MatchLog has expanded significantly. Their solution now offers visibility to over 1 million containers, benefitting multiple large export houses, 3PL companies, and MSME across Western India. The team’s results stemmed from a deep understanding of the container shipper process, and a commitment to providing key features that clients require.

Fig. 3. Mock-up of the My Schedule page on MatchLog. The page provides an overview of the total number of containers added, details about their journey, and status updates on their matches.

Apart from the broader ability to match cargo and street turn boxes, MatchLog has built out ancillary features to complete the product cycle, including ensuring that stakeholders are able to communicate the condition of containers, allowing them to be marked as suitable or unsuitable for reuse.

Partnerships with global entities and expansion plans into new platforms and services with key technology partners highlight MatchLog's growing influence in the logistics sector. 

Looking Ahead

With a solid foundation in India, MatchLog is now eyeing opportunities to expand in Southeast Asia, followed by the Middle East, and Africa, aiming to address the regions contributing to 68% of all container dry runs worldwide. Their long-term vision is ambitious yet clear: eliminate 10 billion kilometres of dry runs globally, making a profound impact on the sustainability of international trade. If you are keen to learn more about MatchLog, the team invites you to get in touch via support@matchlog.delivery.

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Legend:
*Street turn boxes involve reusing an empty shipping container for new cargo near its unloading point, eliminating dry runs. This practice enhances logistical efficiency by reducing costs and emissions.

^USD$ 10m for every 10,000 boxes triangulated

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