The research has found that e-invoicing is emerging as a critical cost reduction tool for companies in or those impacted by the struggling ocean shipping industry. According to the survey, 81 percent of respondents expressed a wish to receive invoices electronically in 2013, while 77 percent were found to rate “managing disputes” as their greatest invoicing challenge, with reducing the “time and cost to process invoices” coming in as a close second at 68 percent.
The top 10 country e-invoicing launch preferences for shippers include the United Kingdom, China, the Netherlands, United States, Germany, Singapore, Australia, France, Hong Kong and Italy.
The survey also found that the ocean shipping industry continues to face financial challenges including record high fuel costs, a reduction in traditional funding sources, decreasing global volume and excess capacity.
Reduction of errors and disputes as a cost-cutting method remains the top driver of increased demand for e-invoicing in 2013. Survey respondents agreed: 93 percent of them indicated that they want to manage disputes electronically.
The 2012 e-Invoicing survey was carried out by US-based e-commerce platform operator for ocean freight industry INTTRA.
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