Da-Desk
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersDubai, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
Da-Desk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Da-Desk
- Legal name
- DA-Desk FZE
- Website
- https://da-desk.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Da-Desk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Disbursement Account Management Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821), Office Administrative Services (561110), Computer Facilities Management Services (541513)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Owner/Operator Representation & Port Disbursement Account (PDA) Management (TLAHAJAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- ACH Disbursements & Bulk Payout Processing (FSAMAGAF), Corporate Cash Management & Treasury ACH (FSAMAGAG)
Keywords
Where Da-Desk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dubai
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices11 records
Markets served
Da-Desk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Disbursement Account Management Services: DA-Desk charges shipping companies for managing their disbursement accounts, including screening, validation, checking of PDAs and FDAs, compliance checks, and payment processing. Revenue generated from transaction fees on payments processed and subscription-like service fees for the platform access.
- Payment Processing (PortPayables): Processing payments to port agents and beneficiaries with 55+ automated checks. Revenue derived from FX spreads and transactional fees on the $13bn payments processed annually.
- Compliance Services: Trade and economic sanctions compliance, KYC checks, AFC screening services bundled with DA management or potentially as standalone services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Custom enterprise pricing based on port call volume and service requirements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Da-Desk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DA-Desk is a cloud-based maritime disbursement account management platform that automates port cost management for shipping companies from agent appointment to voyage closing. It screens and validates 100% of Proforma Disbursement Accounts (PDAs) and Final Disbursement Accounts (FDAs), runs sanctions and anti-financial crime compliance checks, and processes payments to port agents in 135 currencies. The platform integrates directly with Voyage Management Systems (VMS) and ERP systems through its proprietary DIS API, validating 1,400 DAs per day against 1,800+ rules.
Product overview
DA-Desk is a maritime disbursement account management platform operating as part of the Marcura Group. The core DA-Desk platform provides end-to-end digitalised service for port cost management from agent appointment to voyage closing, managing payments and maintaining regulatory maritime compliance. The product portfolio includes core platform DA-Desk with sub-products DAVE (validation engine), DA-Compliance (sanctions/compliance screening), PortPayables (payment processing), and DIS (integration system). DA-Desk integrates with VMS systems including Veson IMOS, Dataloy, Q88, ShipNet, Softmar, and ERP systems SAP, Oracle Financial, and Microsoft Dynamics. Marcura's product ecosystem also includes PortLog (port call management), ClaimsHub (claims processing), MCaaS CORE (compliance automation), and ShipServ (procurement) as part of the broader interconnected platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DA-Desk Core Platform End-to-end cloud-based disbursement account management platform that automates port cost management processes for shipping companies from agent appointment to voyage closing. Screens and validates 100% of PDAs and FDAs, manages compliance checks, and processes payments, integrating directly with customers' Voyage Management Systems.
- DAVE (DA Validation Engine) Proprietary validation engine that checks more than 1,800 rules on every PDA and FDA, including applicable discounts and rebates. Combines technology with human expertise to identify calculation errors, missed discounts, duplicate invoices, and historical cost variations. Screens, checks, and validates on average 1,400 DAs per day.
- DA-Compliance Compliance service delivering trade and economic sanctions screening, Know Your Counterparty (KYC) checks, bank account verification, information security compliance, payment approval and transaction monitoring, anti-financial crime (AFC) screening, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Backed by ISO 9001, 27001, 14001, 45001, and ISAE 3402 Type II certifications.
- PortPayables Financial dashboard and payment processing service providing comprehensive overview of port expenditures, including statements of account per port agent, savings generated, management accounting reports, and cash flow forecasts. Processes payments to port agents and beneficiaries in 135 currencies with 55+ automated checks and host-to-host Citibank integration.
- DA-Desk Integration System (DIS) Data integration system that allows VMS, accounting systems, or other approved systems to push port call data to and/or retrieve disbursement account data from the DA-Desk platform. Exposes a secure SOAP API over HTTPS using WS-Security for encryption and signature. Integrates with Veson IMOS, Dataloy, Q88, ShipNet, Softmar, SAP, Oracle Financial, Microsoft Dynamics, and SAS.
- DA-Desk Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android allowing shipping operations teams to approve PDAs, review line-item costs, and compare PDAs on the go.
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of port calls integrated with customer VMS systems
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Da-Desk
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Da-Desk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
AI capability6 records
Feature7 records
Da-Desk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- Veson/IMOScoreLong-standing relationship with comprehensive integration between DA-Desk and IMOS voyage management systems. Extensive datapoints transferred including reciprocal updates. Operators do not need to inform DA-Desk about cargo or ETA changes as these transmit automatically.
- DataloycoreIntegration partnership for voyage management system connectivity. One of the major VMS systems supported by DA-Desk's DIS.
- Q88coreIntegration partnership for voyage management system connectivity. Major VMS systems supported by DA-Desk.
- ShipNetcoreIntegration partnership for voyage management system connectivity. Major VMS systems supported by DA-Desk.
- SoftmarcoreIntegration partnership for voyage management system connectivity. Major VMS systems supported by DA-Desk.
- SAPcoreDA-Desk does not integrate directly with SAP but provides APIs for integration. Customers can build integration layer or DA-Desk can coordinate with SAP contractors. Supports ERP integration through DIS.
- CitibankcoreHost-to-host integration with Citibank for straight-through payment processing. Enables automated payment flows with sanctions compliance checks before release.
- Dow JonescoreDow Jones Sanction Alert powers proprietary sanctions-compliance system for automated screening of vendors, agents, and transactions.
- AccuitycoreData provider used for sanctions screening and compliance checks alongside Dow Jones.
- BIMCOstrategicAssociate member of BIMCO. Collaborated with BIMCO on Holiday Calendar covering general holidays in 150+ countries and local holidays in 680+ global ports.
- INTERTANKOstrategicAssociate member of INTERTANKO, the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners.
- Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN)strategicMember of MACN, working to combat corruption and bribery in the maritime industry.
- TRACE InternationalcoreTRACE certified through comprehensive due diligence review, analysis and approval process for anti-bribery compliance.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Da-Desk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GAC (Gulf Agency Company): GAC is one of the largest global ship agency and husbandry providers, traditionally handling disbursement accounts on behalf of shipowners. It is the most direct incumbent competitor to DA-Desk's core service of managing port DAs end-to-end, and competes both as a port agent and increasingly via digital tools (GAC Hub).
- Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA: Wilhelmsen operates a global maritime services platform combining ship agency, port call management, and maritime logistics with significant digital ambitions. Its broad service bundle to shipowners competes directly with the integrated DA + compliance + payment value proposition DA-Desk sells.
- Inchcape Shipping Services: Inchcape is a leading global port agent and maritime services provider with a dedicated Information Services business that sells voyage and port cost data/tools. It offers an alternative to DA-Desk for shipping companies that prefer to source DA management from a traditional agent with an embedded software platform.
- Veson Nautical: Veson Nautical provides the IMOS Voyage Management System that DA-Desk integrates with. Its expanding port cost management and voyage P&L modules increasingly compete with DA-Desk's spend-validation and port cost intelligence features for the same shipping customer base.
- V.Group: V.Group is one of the largest third-party ship managers globally, providing crew, technical, and commercial management that includes port call and disbursement coordination. As a major vessel operator-services buyer, it represents both a potential customer and a competitor with internal DA/port cost capabilities.
Broad incumbents
- Bunker Holding: Bunker Holding is the world's largest bunker and maritime services group with broad shipowner relationships. While not a focused DA competitor, its scale and shipping customer overlap position it as an incumbent capable of bundling adjacent port cost services into its offering.
- Wärtsilä Marine: Wärtsilä is a global marine technology and services incumbent with broad digital initiatives including voyage optimization and compliance tools. As a diversified maritime tech incumbent it could bundle workflow capabilities that partially overlap with DA-Desk's services.
- ABB Marine & Ports: ABB's Marine & Ports division provides digital solutions including fleet operations, voyage advisory, and compliance tooling for shipowners. As a broad industrial incumbent, it competes for the technology budget allocated by larger shipping customers that DA-Desk also serves.
Emerging players
- RightShip: RightShip is a maritime risk-management and ESG data platform used by shipowners, charterers, and ports. It overlaps with DA-Desk's compliance and screening value proposition for shipping companies and is a credible emerging player in shipowner risk/workflow data.
- MarineTraffic: MarineTraffic operates the world's largest vessel-tracking and maritime data platform, increasingly expanding into voyage intelligence and port-related data services. Its data assets compete with adjacent components of DA-Desk's historical cost and agent benchmarking database.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Da-Desk social profiles
Digital presenceDa-Desk compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Da-Desk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Da-Desk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Da-Desk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Da-Desk M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Da-Desk
What does Da-Desk do?
DA-Desk is a cloud-based maritime disbursement account management platform that automates port cost management for shipping companies from agent appointment to voyage closing. It screens and validates 100% of Proforma Disbursement Accounts (PDAs) and Final Disbursement Accounts (FDAs), runs sanctions and anti-financial crime compliance checks, and processes payments to port agents in 135 currencies. The platform integrates directly with Voyage Management Systems (VMS) and ERP systems through its proprietary DIS API, validating 1,400 DAs per day against 1,800+ rules.
Is Da-Desk a public or private company?
Da-Desk is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Da-Desk founded?
Da-Desk was founded in 2001. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Da-Desk based?
Da-Desk is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does Da-Desk make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Disbursement Account Management Services are the primary driver. The others are payment Processing (PortPayables) and compliance Services.
Who are Da-Desk's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GAC (Gulf Agency Company), Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA, Inchcape Shipping Services, Veson Nautical and V.Group. Broad incumbents are Bunker Holding, Wärtsilä Marine and ABB Marine & Ports. Emerging players are RightShip and MarineTraffic.
Does Da-Desk have an API?
Yes. DA-Desk Integration System (DIS) exposes a secure SOAP API over HTTPS that uses WS-Security for encryption and signature. The DIS allows VMS, accounting systems, or other approved systems to push port call data to and/or retrieve disbursement account data from the DA-Desk System. For SAP integration, customers need to write a small integration application which pulls data from DA-Desk via DIS.
What industry is Da-Desk in?
Da-Desk's product category is Maritime Disbursement Account Management Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHAJAJ, Owner/Operator Representation & Port Disbursement Account (PDA) Management, with a secondary code of FSAMAGAF, ACH Disbursements & Bulk Payout Processing. Its NAICS code is 51821 and its SIC code is 7370.