Israel-based container liner shipping company Zim Integrated Shipping Services has established Zimark, a technology-based company formed with local start-up Sodyo, to provide scanning technology for the logistics and supply chain sectors.

In addition to this joint venture with Sodyo, Zim will also make a direct equity investment in Sodyo.

Zimark will provide scanning offerings using Sodyo’s patented technology for connecting offline content to the online world. The scanning technology, based on colourful markers, image recognition and algorithms, enables accurate scans from virtually any distance and allows scans of multiple markers simultaneously, along with a set of additional features.

This should help companies in the supply chain industry lower costs, increase efficiency and improve customer service.

“Zimark’s new disruptive technology has the potential to revolutionise scanning, with an impact on shipping and logistics consistent with landmark innovations that have transformed other industries including the introduction of colour images in broadcasting,” said Zim CEO Eli Glickman. “Zimark will create a new global standard, providing a much-needed solution for effectively operating in complex global supply chains. We expect Zimark’s advantages, such as long-range scanning capabilities, scanning of multiple items simultaneously and other ground-breaking features to provide significant performance, cost, and efficiency benefits to the maritime, logistics and supply chain industries.”

He said Zim was “excited” to add Zimark to its growing portfolio of companies realising its strategy of bringing advanced technology to the shipping and logistics sectors.

Zimark will be led by Karin Levy as CEO. Levy brings with her international experience in the maritime, logistics and supply chain industries. She has served in various senior positions at Zim for the past 15 years and has led large-scale functions in both commercial and operational capacities. In her most recent position, she served as the president of Zim’s Caribbean and Central America district in Miami.

Sodyo’s CEO Alon Raz said: “As a global player with vast expertise and an innovative approach, Zim is the ideal partner to bring our unique technology to the world of logistics. The new company brings together the best of both worlds – Zim’s logistics expertise and Sodyo’s technology – to create new opportunities in the market.”

Zim Integrated Shipping Services is an asset-light container liner shipping company. Founded in Israel in 1945, it is one of the oldest shipping liners, with over 75 years of experience, providing seaborne transportation and logistics services.

Sodyo’s mission is to create functional offline to online environments. Through its technology, people and businesses can interact and move seamlessly between their physical and digital worlds. This is accomplished using scanning technology. Essentially, consumers can scan a code and get instant access to content, regardless of where they are or what device they are using.