Logistics start-up RouteSonar helps firms maximise returns on fleet management

The ongoing economic and severe fuel crisis demands for better utilisation and efficiency of resources at play. The logistics sector has taken a heavy toll on their daily operations, surviving on a limited amount of fuel to handle a multitude of tasks. 

RouteSonar - a Sri Lankan logistics start-up in the space of smart sustainable logistics, is now delivering value for every drop of fuel inside the vehicle tank to the days spent at fuel queues by optimising multi-stop route planning.

As opposed to conventional route planning that uses manual planning, google maps and 3rd party software, RouteSonar can create the most efficient travel route minimising both cost and time.

RouteSonar recently partnered with Alerics, an iconic Sri Lankan ice cream brand with over 70 years of history, to provide them with an effective route optimisation platform. This has so far enabled them to realise savings of around 20% based on their existing transportation costs

 RouteSonar was part of the Green Energy Champion Accelerator for 2021 and received funding from GIZ Sri Lanka, in order to promote an eco-centric logistics platform that provides route optimisation, fleet optimisation, real time tracking and data analytics on operations as well as green KPIs to provide the management of enterprises engaged in last-mile delivery to e-commerce and supply chain fulfilment with a holistic view of their logistics operation.

The RouteSonar Teams key value proposition is to maximise returns on the available fleet and resources while minimising fuel costs by thus improving the economic, social and environmental impact. The team at Alerics, headed by its CEO Nuwan De Silva believes that this technology helps deliver convenience and cost benefits to the company by having visibility from start to end.

KBooks Founder/ CEO Heshan Pieris, who had been on the lookout for a route optimisation software, is benefitting from over 25% direct fuel cost savings on KBooks last mile deliveries. Through the RouteSonar Driver mobile app, recording of proof of deliveries and hassle-free navigation create convenience at no additional capital expenditure.

Sustainability in logistics is the major highlight of RouteSonar’s vision for the future. The only solution for climate change is now defined through the reduction of emissions. For every 100 kms travelled, RouteSonar saves 10 kgs of carbon dioxide emissions. This solution is a starting point for companies to achieve net zero status.  

The RouteSonar team at present is part of the John Keells X pre-accelerator program too and they are looking at expanding their portfolio. There exists only a handful of companies worldwide in the route optimisation business and RouteSonar, a Sri Lankan company has developed a futuristic multi-parameter optimisation algorithm to accommodate both fleet and route optimisation. The RouteSonar team has initiated projects with over 15 local companies for providing customised route optimisation solutions.

It should be noted that through efficiency improvements and optimisation alone, Sri Lanka may save up to $ 30 million per month on oil imports on a $ 500 million fuel bill. This is on the assumption that 30% of fuel brought would be used for logistics, while RouteSonar’s statistics of saving over 20% in direct fuel usage through optimisation.

RouteSonar can be extended to multiple sectors, from office transportation to managing prime movers at the port. 

RouteSonar is more than just a route planning software, for Sri Lanka it is the need of the hour.