KEY BENEFITS OF LEVERAGING GEOPOSTCODES DATA
- Eliminated repetitive data processing days for the data center, saving approx. €500k annually in operational costs.
- Successful activation of 3k+ global locations per year.
- Streamlined the opening and closing process for Inland Container Depot (ICD) locations.
- Saved over 900 hours annually, significantly cutting operational expenses while reducing financial penalties and minimizing business disruptions.
- Improved service quality, driving higher customer retention and revenue generation.
Leading the global shipping industry and ensuring operational efficiency with enriched UNLOCODE and zip code data
OVERVIEW
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, founded in 1970 by Captain Gianluigi Aponte, is a family-owned global leader in container shipping. Operating over 675 offices across 155 countries, MSC facilitates international trade through a fleet of more than 790 vessels, connecting 520 ports worldwide. Their offer includes comprehensive transportation solutions, including ocean freight, inland logistics, and air cargo services, serving diverse industries from agriculture to pharmaceuticals.
We talked to Kavian Ranjbar, Data Governance Specialist at MSC, to understand how GeoPostcodes helps optimize their global shipping operations.
CHALLENGE
What was your situation before GeoPostcodes?
KAVIAN: Everything had to be checked by our department in Geneva, which manages the geographical data on a daily basis. This team is in charge of creating, updating, or closing locations; to do so, they use various websites (e.g., Google or Geonames).
Kavian Ranjbar
Data Governance Specialist
“We are the world's first carrier, a small error can have a huge impact. The update and closing of a location is a huge topic at MSC because we use these locations daily for bookings, transportation modes, bills of land, etc. "
Are there any particular geographies you were struggling with?
KAVIAN: Countries like Brazil are particularly strict with their customs validation, requiring precise zip codes for compliance. GeoPostcodes ensures all necessary zip codes are aligned with national regulations.
Any UNLOCODE or zip code modification can lead to system blockages, disrupting operations. Resolving such issues requires Electronic Manifest Correctors (EMCs) to update manifests and Bills of Lading (BLs), a process that can incur multimillion-dollar costs, particularly in high-volume hubs like Shanghai.
Thanks to GeoPostcodes, all zip codes in the region are now fully aligned with global UNLOCODEs, ensuring seamless transportation and compliance.
SOLUTION
How did GeoPostcodes’ zip code database help your case?
KAVIAN: GeoPostcodes data allows the Operations department to have a more granular view of the activities related to the ICDs. The zip codes and UNLOCODE locations are used by local agents to calculate the price we are providing to the customer accurately. On top of that, they are used in high-level reporting to visualize which ports are making the most TUs worldwide.
What made you choose GeoPostcodes as your main source of location data?
KAVIAN: I searched for a provider with all the updated geographical information in one product that would then be related to our data and Inland Container Depot (ICD) locations. We chose GeoPostcodes because you had a good structure and the necessary information I was looking for, such as UNLOCODES and ISO codes on the subdivisions and the countries, etc.
What would you say to someone in your position who is considering GeoPostcodes?
KAVIAN: GeoPostcodes provides the best country, subdivision, and location structure you can find on the market, referencing the ISO codes and UNLOCODEs for a good price. It allows small developments and huge consumption of data.
CONCLUSION
By leveraging GeoPostcodes’ enriched location data, MSC has transformed its operational efficiency, significantly reducing costs, errors, and administrative workload.
The ability to seamlessly manage 3,000+ global location activations annually, ensure compliance in strict regulatory environments, and prevent costly shipping disruptions underscores the strategic value of accurate, up-to-date geolocation data.
For a company operating on a global scale, the stakes are high—every inaccurate location entry can lead to delays, financial penalties, or service failures.
With GeoPostcodes, MSC gains data and a reliable foundation for smoother logistics, better customer service, and business continuity.
Discover how GeoPostcodes can support your shipping-related needs. Get a personalized demo now.
