CargoWise adds Tailwind links for digital ocean booking

WiseTech Global has added Tailwind Shipping Lines to its network of ocean carriers connected directly to CargoWise, giving freight forwarders access to Tailwind capacity and booking management within the logistics software.

The connection links CargoWise with Tailwind's schedules, rates and available space. Users can plan shipments, place bookings, receive confirmations and amend bookings through to execution without switching systems.

Tailwind Shipping Lines is a subsidiary of European retailer Lidl. The carrier has expanded from serving Lidl's own needs to offering capacity to other customers. It runs liner services on several trade lanes and operates rail and inland transport activities through Tailwind Intermodal under the wider Tailwind brand.

Carrier network

The Tailwind connection builds on WiseTech's broader push for digital booking across ocean freight. More than 99% of ocean freight managed through CargoWise can be booked electronically with shipping lines and non-vessel operating common carriers.

The integration centres on real-time data exchange between the carrier and the forwarder's operating system, reducing reliance on emails, re-keying and manual checking, which remain common in parts of the industry.

Freight forwarders often manage shipments across multiple carriers and routes at once. Direct connectivity within a single workflow can reduce discrepancies between carrier and forwarder records, particularly when bookings change close to departure.

Route footprint

Tailwind operates three liner services. The Panda Express Service connects China and the Mediterranean. The Tiger Express Service covers Bangladesh, Malaysia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The Dolphin Express Service is a European short-sea route between Barcelona in Spain and Moerdijk in the Netherlands.

Tailwind said it limits port calls on these routes and often uses smaller ports. It also uses smaller container ships on its Panda Express Service, with vessels that can carry up to 7,000 TEU. This, the carrier said, supports shorter turnaround times and reduces delays at congested ports.

For CargoWise users, the practical change is the ability to view Tailwind schedules and make bookings based on capacity and dynamic rates within their existing ocean workflow. The data connection also supports changes to digital bookings through to final execution.

Operational focus

The companies described the integration as part of a wider move towards more predictable and transparent ocean freight processes. Tailwind highlighted the importance of consistent data across the shipping lifecycle, from booking through to execution.

WiseTech said the connection helps Tailwind share timely information with customers while improving its own planning. Real-time booking and update flows provide carriers with cleaner demand signals and can reduce the lag between forwarder intent and carrier confirmation.

Handling changes remains a major friction point in ocean freight, including rollovers, cut-off adjustments, documentation updates and equipment availability. Digital connections can reduce the hand-offs required when details change, although the impact varies by trade lane, carrier processes and customer adoption.

Nico Peters, VP Commercial Management, Tailwind Shipping Lines, said: "Tailwind's mission is to make ocean transport simple, predictable and transparent for our customers. Digitization of the supply chain process is key to achieving this. The direct integration with CargoWise removes manual steps from the process and ensures data consistency from start to finish. It is a smarter, more digital shipping experience built around speed and accuracy, which exactly mirrors Tailwind's key characteristics."

Bjorn Schwarz, Carrier Integration and Transformation Manager, WiseTech Global, said: "Today, more than 99% of the world's ocean freight managed through CargoWise can be electronically booked directly with shipping lines and NVOCCs - and now that includes Tailwind Shipping Lines. Transparent real-time data sharing enables Tailwind to optimize their planning and capacity management and quickly act on market changes. In turn, Tailwind's customers who use CargoWise benefit from a simplified booking experience that removes double data entry, eliminates unnecessary emails, reduces human errors and enhances visibility and productivity. The first phase of this integration focuses on ocean freight. As CargoWise supports multimodal workflows there is the opportunity to later expand digital connectivity to Tailwind's rail and inland transport."

The current implementation covers ocean freight booking and management, with potential for a later extension into rail and inland transport workflows within CargoWise.