ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

April 29, 1999 9:13 AM, EDT

ATLANTA — International Asset Systems introduced an Internet service that allows shipping lines, container lessors and intermodal companies to exchange information about equipment availability and location.

The product, called InterBox, is designed to help reduce the time and expense associated with repositioning containers by establishing an International Container Exchange that matches equipment with freight.

About 21% of all container movements by ship are empty, according to Drewry Shipping Consultants. That costs shippers $3.5 billion a year.

IAS officials say repositioning by road or rail adds another $1.5 billion to transportation costs.

InterBox users post their requirements or offers for containers at any of 26,000 locations around the world. Members pay a monthly fee to participate and are charged for each transaction on a sliding scale with a maximum of $18.75.

For the full story, see the April 26 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.