NSW minister for roads and transport Duncan Gay officially launched it yesterday at the Future Logistics Living Lab at NICTA in Sydney.
"This purpose-built container management system will enable industry to redirect import containers in such a way as to maximise their use and minimise unnecessary movements of empty containers," said Mr Gay.
Container Control is a web-based application which brings together shipping lines and transport operators so that companies can re-use empty import containers for exports.
The system will have three aspects – triangulation, virtual container parks and redirection.
Chief executive officer of 1-Stop Michael Bouari said the initial the goal is to get 10% of all containers in the system.
"I think that the challenge is going to be getting everyone onto it because it's almost the chicken or the egg, you need all the shipping lines on and then you need all the carriers to make it really work," said Mr Bouari.
However, he was confident that once shipping lines saw the benefits, they would come on board as this process is already being conducted manually with phone calls in many cases.
Hamburg Sd has already signed up as it has been involved in the testing process. 1-Stop is also in testing with another big shipping line and in conversation with a third, said Mr Bouari.
Director of the Freight and Trade Alliance, Paul Zalai, said that the system "looks good" and that the initiative has "significant potential".
"There may however be some operational and commercial issues requiring further attention," he said.
Container Control will cost shipping lines $3.50 per container and transport operators $12.50 per container.
However 1-Stop estimates it will save shipping lines about $56 per container and transport operators, $100.
Container Control is available in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle.