The (Belated) Rise of Digital Ocean Bookings: Why Ocean eBookings Are So Far Behind Air Cargo and How That Will Change Over The Next Five Years

Judah Levine, Managing Director of Digital Transformation Consulting at Freightos Group, is a seasoned market research leader known for delivering data-driven insights into global freight trends, shipper behavior, and logistics innovation. As the producer of the widely followed FBX Weekly Freight Update, Judah brings a clear, analytical perspective on the evolving dynamics of international shipping. He is all set to share his views on The (Belated) Rise of Digital Ocean Bookings, exploring why ocean eBookings have lagged behind air cargo, the structural challenges involved, and how emerging technologies and market shifts are set to drive a digital breakthrough in ocean freight over the next five years.

He will share his insights on how the air cargo industry successfully digitized over 50% of global capacity within just four years, enabling millions of low-touch bookings through instant digital distribution—a benchmark that highlights the transformative power of technology. He will contrast this with the ocean freight sector, examining why ocean liners lagged behind, how COVID-19 acted as both a disruptor and catalyst, and the early signs of digital adoption now emerging. Drawing from internal research and market indicators, he will explore how BCOs, freight forwarders, and ocean carriers can adapt to this digital shift, what new distribution channels will emerge, and how the broader ocean shipping ecosystem is set to evolve.