Global Ports Group has launched a new digital planning system for berths at First Container Terminal (FCT) and Petrolesport (PLP) in the Greater Ports of St. Petersburg.
Based on the Portchain online platform, customers can monitor the operational situation at berths.
The platform, which is web-based and ran using a Google Chrome browser, will collect data on scheduling and real time of vessels arrival and handling: including berth allocation and cargo handling, vessel arrival time, and berth number in real time.
Users will promptly receive information on current and planned operations at the berths, as well as service statistics.
The platform will allow terminal operatives to allocate resources more effectively and improve overall decision-making in the terminals.
Marc Niederer, COO of Global Ports Management LLC, told PTI in an exclusive interview that both FCT and PLP handle significant shares of cargo at the Baltic basin.
“For the container lines it is very important to know exactly when and where their vessel will berth and when operations will start and finish,” he said.
With Portchain, Niederer added, clients get real time overview of the latest berth planning up to 28 days in the future.
“Launching this digital platform for berth planning and optimisation with real time customer access is a logical next step for us, aimed at driving productivity, effectiveness and providing high level of service to our clients.”
Niederer added that previously, information was available on request or twice a day depending on the terminal. Now, with Portchain, real-time information on terminal operations allow a tailored experience for specific vessels of the client.
“This new system will allow for more transparency 24/7, resulting into better planning possibilities for possible further logistics and thereby cost reduction,” he told PTI.
Thor Thorup, CCO of Portchain, said in a statement, “We are excited to offer Global Ports a solution based on Portchain algorithms aimed at optimising berthing operations.
“Our intelligent platform will increase the transparency of vessel handling data by collecting up-to-date information on all terminal berth operations in one system, and will also simplify the communication on operational issues between the terminals and their customers.”
The system is already being used at First Container Terminal as a pilot scheme.
Access for customers is planned for the end of March 2021 and Petrolesport will then be connected to Portchain in April 2021.
Niederer told PTI that the Group’s future digital innovation plans include the full implementation of Portchain system at Vostochnaya Stevedoring Company (VSC) by mid-2021.
