What SMDG does

SMDG e.V. (Ship Message Design Group) is a German-registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) that develops and maintains UN/EDIFACT electronic data interchange (EDI) message standards and global code lists for the maritime container shipping industry. Founded in 1987 by IT experts convened to design the BAPLIE ship-planning message, SMDG was re-established in its current legal form in October 2018 and is recognized as the official UN/CEFACT User Group for the maritime business. The organization operates ten active working groups covering ship planning (BAPLIE/MOVINS), container messages (COPRAR, COREOR), vessel schedules (IFTSAI), terminal performance (TPFREP), verified gross mass (VERMAS), dangerous cargo, code lists, and web services standardization, with deliverables including the Terminal Code List (1,114 terminals), Liner Code List (304 carriers), Waterway Code List, and since 2026, OpenAPI-format APIs including the VGM API and the 2020 BIC-SMDG joint API.

SMDG's business model is a non-profit membership association funded through undisclosed membership dues, with standards, code lists, and APIs made publicly available on smdg.org. The organization is member-driven, with leadership drawn from participating carriers and terminal operators — co-chairs include representatives from Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, APM Terminals/Maersk, EUROGATE, PSA Antwerp, and HHLA. SMDG's reach extends to 35+ companies at recent plenary meetings representing roughly 60% of world tonnage and 30% of world terminal capacity, and its code lists are referenced by DCSA's information model and APIs.

The primary customer segments are container terminal operators and ocean carriers, with secondary segments including software vendors implementing EDI/TOS systems and other standardization bodies (UN/CEFACT, DCSA, BIC, PROTECT) requiring interoperability with maritime EDI. Distribution is conducted via the SMDG website (free public downloads), annual international plenary meetings, and recurring working group sessions across Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, and the Middle East.

Name

SMDG

Legal name

SMDG e.V.

Website

https://smdg.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SMDG e.V. is a German non-profit association developing and maintaining UN/EDIFACT message standards and global code lists for maritime container shipping, serving ocean carriers, terminal operators, and IT providers as the official UN/CEFACT User Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime EDI Standards and Reference Data

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Port and Harbor Operations (488310)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Maritime Single Window & Regulatory Reporting Systems (TLAHAOAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hazardous Materials (IMDG) & Dangerous Goods Compliance Services (TLAHANAH)

Keywords

• Maritime EDI standards
• Container shipping standards
• EDIFACT message standards
• Maritime code lists
• Shipping API standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Halstenbek

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SMDG e.V. develops, maintains, and publishes UN/EDIFACT message implementation guides (BAPLIE, MOVINS, COPRAR, COREOR, IFTSAI, TPFREP, VERMAS) and standardized global reference code lists (Terminal Code List, Liner Code List, HANDLING/STOWINS/ATTRIBUTES, Waterway, VGM, Delay Reason, Port Call Activities, DGS Attributes, STOWLOC) for the maritime container shipping industry. The organization also publishes recommendation documents and has begun publishing APIs (SMDG VGM API in OpenAPI 3.0.3, joint BIC-SMDG API) to enable programmatic access to its reference data and standards.

Product overview

SMDG e.V. is a registered non-profit association and official UN/CEFACT User Group for the maritime business, developing and maintaining EDI standards for the maritime container industry since 1987. The organization's core offerings include EDIFACT message standards (BAPLIE, MOVINS, COPRAR, IFTSAI, TPFREP, VERMAS, COxxxx messages), comprehensive code lists (Terminal Codes, Liner Codes, HANDLING/STOWINS/ATTRIBUTES, Waterway, VGM, Delay Reason, Port Call Activities), APIs (VGM API in OpenAPI 3.0.3 format, BIC-SMDG Joint API), and recommendation documents for best practices. SMDG organizes plenary meetings and working groups to advance standardization across carriers, terminals, and related companies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EDIFACT Message Standards
• SMDG Terminal Code List (TCL)
• SMDG Liner Code List (LCL)
• SMDG HANDLING, STOWINS, ATTRIBUTES Code Lists
• SMDG Waterway Code List (WCL)
• SMDG Code Lists for DGS Attributes
• SMDG Code List STOWLOC
• SMDG Code List for VGM Information
• SMDG Code Lists for Delay Reason and Port Call Activities
• SMDG Terminal Activities Code List
• SMDG VGM API
• BIC-SMDG Joint API
• SMDG Recommendations
• EIPP SAB Standards (hosted)
• PROTECT Message Scenarios

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UN/CEFACTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2025SMDG is recognized as official UN/CEFACT User Group for the maritime business. UN/CEFACT provides the framework for SMDG's standardization activities. SMDG participates in updating UN/EDIFACT directories, maintaining UN/LOCODE repository, and Trade Facilitation Recommendations. SMDG is engaged in the Transport & Logistics Domain.
• DCSA (Digital Container Shipping Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCSA was founded in 2019 by major container shipping companies as their digital voice. DCSA's Information Model and APIs reference SMDG code lists for terminal codes, carrier codes, and delay reason codes. EDIFACT messages (BAPLIE, COPRAR, IFTSAI, TPFREP) remain under SMDG auspices. Some carriers are active in both DCSA and SMDG.
• BIC (Bureau International des Containers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth BIC and SMDG are non-profit organizations providing global standards to the maritime industry. BIC provides global container prefix registry and Boxtech database. BIC Facility Codes for inland facilities complement SMDG Terminal Codes for sea port terminals. In 2020, a joint API was launched providing both code sets. Recognized by DCSA.
• PROTECT GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished by Port Authorities of major European ports, supported by Port Community systems. Developed UN/EDIFACT standard messages for electronic notification of Dangerous Goods (IFTDGN) and waste (WASDIS) to Port Authorities. Developed MIGs for these messages and for berth management (BERMAN).
• ITIGG (International Transport Implementation Guidelines Group)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITIGG compiles and issues principles and rules for international implementation of electronic messages in the transport industry. Through TBG3, ITIGG actively participates in UN/CEFACT process of harmonizing segment usage across industry sectors.
• Exis Technologies / NCB (National Cargo Bureau)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerExis Technologies, leaders in dangerous goods management for over 30 years, part of NCB Group since 2018. Supports shipping lines, ports, terminals, and logistics operators with regulatory compliance. Works on containerized dangerous cargo management solutions including Hazcheck Inspections and Hazcheck Detect tools.
• GSBN (Global Shipping Business Network)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint Vibeathon workshop organized at SMDG 80th Plenary Meeting in Shanghai 2026. GSBN collaboration on hackathon exploring new ideas driving maritime digitalisation. Partnership on automated data sharing and verification solutions.
• COSCO ShippingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for SMDG 80th Plenary Meeting in Shanghai, September 2026. COSCO hosting networking dinner at Ocean Hotel Shanghai. Significant collaboration marking milestone event for SMDG.
• GEFEGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGEFEG provides documentation and certification platform for EDI messages. SMDG uses GEFEG FX for best practices and certification platforms for EDI messages, enabling synchronization of data structures across different formats.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Portchain: Provider of berth alignment and port call optimization solutions bridging terminal and ocean carrier data. Recently joined SMDG as a member (March 2026); comparable as a tech vendor operating in the maritime data exchange space that consumes SMDG standards rather than competing with them.
• GSBN (Global Shipping Business Network): Consortium of ocean carriers, terminal operators, and banks building a blockchain-based network for sharing shipping documents and data. Comparable to SMDG as a digitalization initiative for maritime data exchange, but uses blockchain/distributed ledger rather than EDI/API standards; partner of SMDG at the 80th Plenary Vibeathon.

Broad incumbents

• UN/CEFACT: United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business, the parent UN body under which SMDG operates as an official User Group. UN/CEFACT maintains EDIFACT and broader trade facilitation standards across all industries; SMDG is specifically the maritime User Group within this broader framework.
• WCO (World Customs Organization): Intergovernmental organization that develops international standards for customs procedures and trade facilitation. Comparable to SMDG as a multi-stakeholder standards-setting body in cross-border trade; SMDG's maritime EDI standards intersect with WCO data models for trade facilitation.
• IMO (International Maritime Organization): United Nations specialized agency responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental regulation. Indirect peer as the regulatory body whose mandates (e.g., SOLAS VGM rules) drive demand for SMDG's VERMAS standard; SMDG operates as implementing standards body within the IMO regulatory framework.

Direct peers

• BIC (Bureau International des Containers): Non-profit international organization providing the global container prefix registry and Boxtech database for container equipment. Directly comparable to SMDG as a fellow maritime non-profit standards body; SMDG and BIC jointly launched an API in 2020 and their code sets are mutually complementary (BIC for inland facilities, SMDG for sea terminals).
• DCSA (Digital Container Shipping Association): Industry-driven standards body founded in 2019 by major container carriers to define common technology standards (APIs, data models) for the container shipping industry. Directly comparable to SMDG as both develop interoperability standards for maritime container business; DCSA focuses on API/JSON while SMDG historically leads EDIFACT.
• PROTECT Group: Group of major European port authorities, supported by Port Community Systems, that developed UN/EDIFACT standards for dangerous goods (IFTDGN), waste (WASDIS), and berth management (BERMAN). Directly comparable to SMDG as a maritime EDI standards body focused on port authority messaging; operates as a partnership ally of SMDG.
• Exis Technologies (NCB Group): Part of NCB Group since 2018, leading provider of dangerous goods compliance solutions for maritime and logistics (Hazcheck Inspections, Hazcheck Detect). Comparable to SMDG through joint work on dangerous cargo messaging (IFTDGN) and serves a similar carrier/terminal customer base for maritime regulatory compliance.

Regional players

• ITIGG (International Transport Implementation Guidelines Group): International body that compiles and issues principles and rules for implementing electronic messages in the transport industry, with active participation via TBG3 in UN/CEFACT processes. Comparable to SMDG as a transport-industry standards coordination body; overlaps with SMDG on harmonization of EDI segment usage across transport sectors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smdg-ship-message-design-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SMDG