ODeX To Digitise Shipping in Mozambique

ODeX (Online Documents Exchange)and Pacific International Lines (PIL) went live with digital shipping solutions in Mozambique on as of today (9 September), introducing e-invoicing, e-payments, and electronic documents to streamline Southern African trade. The initiative promises faster customs and reduced costs, enhancing regional connectivity and efficiency for exporters.

ODeX is a Mumbai-based digital platform founded in 2015, that specialises in automating documentation and payment processes for the ocean shipping and export-import (EXIM) trade industry. It serves as a B2B hub connecting stakeholders such as shipping lines, freight forwarders, custom brokers, exporters, importers, ports, terminals, and banks. The arrival of ODeX aims to eliminate manual paperwork, reduce delays, enhance transparency, and lower costs in the shipping trade.

The platform is SaaS-based, accessible via web and mobile, and operates on a per-transaction or per-user pricing model, making it affordable for SMEs. As of mid-2025, it supports over 70,000 users and processes more than 1 million transactions monthly across 20+ countries, including India, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, USA, Singapore, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Vietnam.

Key Features and Services

ODeX offers a suite of electronic tools to streamline EXIM operations:

• e-Invoicing and e-Payments: Automates invoice generation, GST verification, and secure payments via internet banking, credit cards, UPI, or virtual accounts. It includes agent mapping for forwarders to handle payments on behalf of clients, ensuring instant access to documents like delivery orders upon payment.
• e-Delivery Order (e-DO): Generates and tracks electronic delivery orders, reducing paperwork and enabling quick cargo release to clients, CFS (container freight stations), or yards.
• e-House Bill of Lading (e-HBL): Facilitates secure upload and sharing of HBLs for import manifests, with automated approvals and notifications to minimize errors and duplicates.
• e-VGM (Verified Gross Mass): Supports digital submission of VGM certificates, integrated with over 85 ports and shipping lines for gate-in compliance.
• Other Tools: Includes e-Form-13 (for Indian customs), manifest filing (HBL/MBL), cargo arrival notices, shipping bill submissions, and export general manifests. It also features real-time tracking, AI-driven support, and integrations with ERPs, banks, and weighbridges for seamless data flow.

The platform emphasizes security with encryption, digital signatures, and compliance (e.g., UAE MPCI filing, ZATCA-licensed invoices). It reduces inefficiencies estimated at $34 billion annually in the shipping sector by providing a single dashboard for all stakeholders.

Expansion and Partnerships

ODeX has aggressively expanded since 2016, starting in West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal) and moving to East Africa (Kenya in 2024, Uganda in early 2025). In H1 2025, it launched in Canada, Uganda, and Vietnam, navigating geopolitical challenges for resilient growth. For H2 2025, it targets Cameroon, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, alongside deeper penetration in Asia and North America.

Key partnerships include:

• Pacific International Lines (PIL): ODeX integrated with PIL in Nigeria (launched July 2024) for invoicing, payments, and e-DOs, enhancing efficiency for PIL’s African operations. PIL, a Singapore-based carrier ranked 12th globally with a focus on Africa-Asia routes, uses ODeX to digitize workflows in high-volume markets like Mozambique, where PIL has a strong presence via its Mozambique Feeder Service (MZS) and local agent, PIL Moçambique S.A. The September 9, 2025, “launch” in Mozambique likely refers to the rollout of these digital solutions for PIL’s local trade, aligning with ODeX’s pipeline for full operations there in 2025-2026.
• Hapag-Lloyd: Expanded in Uganda (August 2025) after a successful PIL pilot in December 2024, focusing on e-Invoice, e-Payments, and e-DO for East African efficiency.
• Others: Collaborations with Hapag-Lloyd in Hong Kong and Jordan (2024), and integrations with major lines like K Star Shipping and Beekeyen Freight.

Impact and Recognition

ODeX promotes sustainability by cutting paper use and supports SMEs with cost-effective tools, aligning with global digital trade trends. It won the “Game-Changer in Shipping Technology Award 2024” at TLME Awards in Dubai. A 2025 report by ODeX highlights digitalisation’s benefits: reduced processing times, lower costs, and enhanced security in ocean freight.

For more, visit the official site: odexglobal.com.