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For those living in the bay area the oakland port is definitely quite a sight. I am constantly in awe at how much stuff goes in and out of it every day. I reme

by jtchang 15y ago

For those living in the bay area the oakland port is definitely quite a sight. I am constantly in awe at how much stuff goes in and out of it every day. I remember on a whim looking around the internet for how much it costs to ship something from Oakland to Dalian (another big port in china). For some reason it is really hard to get a quote without going through a licensed agent. I feel like the shipping industry is ripe for disruption because of sites like this: http://indonetwork.net/arrow_dynamicid/508168/ocean-freight-rate-fclfcl-usacanada.htm http://indonetwork.net/arrow_dynamicid/508168/ocean-freight-... Right now I can price a trip from SFO to LA within seconds. Try doing that if you are shipping cargo.

nickpinkston 15y ago
Totally seconded - ripe for disruption, but you'd better have some good old-man skills!
supahfly_remix 15y ago
That's a really good idea. I wonder if there are some impediments to doing this that aren't obvious, e.g., maybe paperwork can't be automated b/c of bribery at customs. It's interesting that there isn't a trading floor for cargo rates, either (or, it least, I'm not aware of one). Automating an old-style industry could be a great business.
- eru 15y ago
  > e.g., maybe paperwork can't be automated b/c of bribery at customs. Just speculating: The inability to pay bribes could actually work out in your favour or at least not hurt you enough to matter.