The verdict in three sentences
A 6,000 TEU empty container depot near the port of Singapore that still runs gate moves, inspections and repairs on paper and spreadsheets typically lets 3 to 5 % of repair charges go unbilled to shipping lines, by our estimates. A custom depot system with shipping line EDI (CODECO messages) and a mobile inspection app costs, as a 2026 estimate, 60,000 to 120,000 USD, versus 1,500 to 4,000 USD per month for an international SaaS package plus setup. Over 5 years, total costs are close at Singapore rates, and custom wins clearly when it is built by a nearshore team and when your billing rules and line-specific EDI are scoped properly.
Where a paper-based depot leaks money
An empty depot earns from three streams: daily storage billed to shipping lines, handling (lift-on, lift-off) and repairs after inspection. On paper, each stream leaks. EIRs (Equipment Interchange Receipts) arrive late, damage photos sit on personal phones, and IICL or CEDEX repair estimates get disputed for lack of evidence.
| Metric (6,000 TEU depot, 2026 estimate) | Paper and spreadsheets | System with EDI and mobile |
|---|---|---|
| CODECO delay to shipping line | 12 to 48 h | under 15 min |
| Inspection time per container | 15 to 25 min | 6 to 10 min |
| Unbilled repairs | 3 to 5 % | under 1 % |
| Damage disputes with photo evidence | rarely documented | 100 % timestamped and geotagged |
| Locating a box in the yard | 10 to 30 min | under 2 min |
| Line penalties for late EDI | frequent | near zero |
Shipping lines benchmark their depots. A depot that sends moves in real time and documented repair estimates wins more volume and faster estimate approvals.
Custom build or international package: 5-year comparison
International depot packages are complete but billed in dollars, often per move or per user, and their roadmap follows the vendor's largest clients. For a mid-sized independent depot, flexibility on billing rules and line-specific EDI often matters more.
| Criterion | International package | Custom system |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 20,000 to 50,000 USD (setup, training) | 60,000 to 120,000 USD |
| Subscription | 1,500 to 4,000 USD per month | none |
| Maintenance | included in subscription | 800 to 2,000 USD per month |
| CODECO, COARRI, estimate EDI | standard, line-specific mapping extra | built for your lines |
| Offline mode in the yard | varies | designed in from day one |
| Billing rules per line and tariff | configurable within limits | fully yours |
| 5-year total cost (order of magnitude) | 110,000 to 290,000 USD | 108,000 to 240,000 USD |
At Singapore labour rates the gap narrows, which is why many depots there commission the build from a nearshore or offshore team: a French-speaking agency based in West Africa can deliver the same scope for 40 to 60 % less than local rates of 120 to 180 SGD per hour. The package remains the right call for a group already running the same tool across several countries.
The functional scope to require
A serious specification covers: bookings and releases, gate-in and gate-out with digitally signed EIR, yard map by block and row, mobile inspection with photos and CEDEX damage codes, repair estimates sent to lines for approval, workshop work orders, automatic billing of storage and repairs, and dashboards per shipping line. Require an offline-first mobile app: signal inside stacks of steel boxes is unreliable even in a well-covered city.
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Wei Ling, operations director of a 6,000 TEU depot in Singapore, bills 2,000,000 USD of repairs a year. A 4 % leak means 80,000 USD per year. Bringing it down to 1 % recovers 60,000 USD. Halving inspection time across 30,000 annual moves frees about 4,500 inspector hours. Against a 90,000 USD custom build and 1,500 USD monthly maintenance, or 18,000 USD a year, payback on repairs alone, net of maintenance, takes about 26 months. Valuing the 4,500 freed inspector hours at 20 USD, or 90,000 USD a year, brings payback under 9 months.
FAQ
How much does empty container depot software cost in Singapore?
As a 2026 estimate, a custom system with EDI and a mobile app costs 60,000 to 120,000 USD. International packages charge 1,500 to 4,000 USD per month on top of setup.
What is a CODECO message and why does it matter?
CODECO is the EDIFACT message telling a shipping line about gate-in and gate-out of its containers. Most major lines require it within 15 to 60 minutes of each move.
How long does deployment take?
Allow 5 to 8 months, including 6 to 10 weeks of EDI testing with each line. Rolling out mobile devices in the yard takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Does the inspection app work without signal?
Yes, if built offline-first: photos and damage codes are stored on the tablet and synced later. A rugged tablet costs 400 to 900 USD.
Can the system connect to port and terminal platforms?
Yes, through the interfaces exposed by terminals or community systems, subject to access approval. Budget 2,500 to 6,500 USD per additional interface.
Let's scope your project. Share your TEU capacity, shipping lines and current flows, and we will price a depot system with EDI and mobile inspection, with an indicative budget and a 5 to 8 month plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
