About
Windward D&D Automation is a purpose-built Gen AI platform designed to transform how freight forwarders handle detention and demurrage (D&D) — one of the most costly and operationally complex areas in container logistics. Built for operations processing 100,000+ TEUs, the solution automates the entire D&D lifecycle from contract ingestion to invoice generation. At its core, the platform features automated tariff extraction that interprets even the most complex, non-standard D&D contracts with verified accuracy, eliminating the manual errors that lead to revenue leakage. Intelligent shipment mapping ensures every container is automatically linked to the correct contract terms or falls back to standard carrier tariffs when needed. Real-time fee calculation processes charges instantly as shipment events occur, aligning every invoice with the precise contract terms. Powering the platform is MAI Expert™, described as the industry's first Gen AI logistics agent. It delivers real-time shipment summaries, exception alerts, automated D&D cost breakdowns, milestone tracking, and even automated email generation — acting as a proactive logistics co-worker. Together, these capabilities improve cash flow, reduce disputes, and give freight forwarders full cost visibility into every container movement. Windward D&D Automation is ideal for logistics operators, freight forwarders, and supply chain teams seeking to convert a historically reactive cost center into a strategic, data-driven advantage.
Key Features
- Automated Tariff Extraction: Gen AI agent extracts all tariff details from complex D&D contracts — standard or custom — with verified accuracy, eliminating manual data entry errors.
- Intelligent Shipment Mapping: Automatically matches each shipment to the correct contract terms or carrier tariffs, ensuring every container is billed under the right agreement.
- Real-Time Fee Calculation: Calculates D&D charges instantly as shipment events occur, using pre-built date-counting logic to ensure every charge aligns with contract terms.
- MAI Expert™ Gen AI Agent: The industry's first Gen AI logistics agent provides real-time shipment summaries, critical alerts, cost breakdowns, milestone tracking, and automated email generation.
- Full Cost Transparency: Delivers detailed breakdowns and flagged exceptions across all container movements, giving freight forwarders complete visibility into every D&D cost.
Use Cases
- Freight forwarders automating detention and demurrage invoicing across thousands of container shipments per month to reduce billing errors and improve cash flow.
- Logistics operations teams gaining real-time visibility into D&D costs and exceptions to proactively prevent costly disputes with shipping lines.
- Finance and revenue teams accelerating invoice cycles by replacing manual D&D calculations with automated, contract-aligned fee generation.
- Supply chain managers monitoring container milestone events and receiving automated alerts when shipments are at risk of incurring additional D&D charges.
- Logistics technology teams integrating D&D intelligence via API into existing freight management or ERP systems for seamless data flow.
Pros
- Significant Revenue Recovery: Delivers an average uplift of $90 per container by eliminating billing errors and speeding up invoice generation, directly improving cash flow.
- End-to-End Workflow Automation: Covers the entire D&D lifecycle — from contract ingestion to invoicing — reducing manual work and operational bottlenecks for high-volume operations.
- Proactive Exception Management: MAI Expert™ flags risks and exceptions before they become costly disputes, enabling teams to act proactively rather than reactively.
- Handles Complex Contracts: Accurately interprets even non-standard, highly customized D&D contracts that typically require significant manual effort to process.
Cons
- Enterprise-Focused Scope: The platform is designed for freight forwarders managing 100,000+ TEUs, making it less accessible or cost-effective for smaller logistics operators.
- Niche Use Case: Highly specialized for container logistics D&D workflows, limiting its applicability outside the maritime freight forwarding sector.
- Opaque Pricing: Pricing is not publicly listed and requires direct engagement with the Windward sales team, which can slow down evaluation cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is detention and demurrage (D&D) automation?
D&D automation uses AI to automatically extract tariff details from shipping contracts, match containers to the right billing terms, calculate fees in real time, and generate accurate invoices — replacing error-prone manual processes.
Who is Windward D&D Automation designed for?
It is purpose-built for high-volume freight forwarders managing 100,000 TEUs or more who need to scale D&D operations without increasing headcount or billing errors.
What is MAI Expert™?
MAI Expert™ is Windward's proprietary Gen AI agent that provides real-time shipment summaries, D&D cost breakdowns, milestone alerts, and automated email drafting — functioning as an AI logistics co-worker.
How does the platform handle non-standard contracts?
Windward's Gen AI agent is trained to interpret complex and custom D&D contracts, extracting all relevant tariff details with verified accuracy, regardless of format or structure.
What revenue impact can I expect?
Windward reports an average revenue uplift of $90 per container through faster invoicing, elimination of billing errors, and recovery of previously undetected D&D charges.
