How is the Demand for Real Time Container Visibility Kindling the need for Digitization in Maritime?
According to a study, 30 percent of container data is missing, irrelevant or incorrect. Terminal operators worldwide report inefficiencies in operations only because of this factor as it causes an inability to plan in advance and the inventory costs adding up due to inaction. Consequently, high demurrage charges and longer dwell time of trucks at the terminal are other causes of concern.
On the contrary, terminals would like to have a robust mechanism to perform their operations. Terminal operators today wish to have access to real-time updates, alerts on container movement for every milestone, share information among their vendors and partners in value chain.
But being in a vast environment like maritime, it is a challenging phenomenon to keep track of every single shipment. Yet, it is not impossible. With trade facilitation as the ultimate goal, various Ports across the world have pledged to eliminate the blind spots and inefficient processes in the entire maritime value chain.
Apart from forecasting, ensuring visibility and overcoming delays, the intervention of technology is now taking a 360 degree turn and is setting its own benchmarks for growth. Even though, the pandemic is to be attributed to this growth in technology adoption, it is a result of a long standing benchmarks set by regulatory authorities.
Here are some technological interventions that are driving 100% container visibility
Forecasting Terminal Gate Congestion
Port gate congestion is the most pressing issue for terminal operators and transportation companies. During peaks, a truck driver spends 48 hours outside the Port gate terminal. Terminal Slot Management comes as a boon to both terminal operators as well as transporters as it helps in the transporter booking slots prior to his/her arrival at the Port gate. This technology is powered by artificial intelligence/machine learning and Blockchain in most of the community platforms. For example, a Port Community System comes with a full suite of technology utilization ranging from Blockchain, predictive capabilities and 5G.
Container inventory management with real-time visibility and analysis
Handling movement and management of containers in a Port ecosystem is a key task. If a container stays in a terminal yard or if it is not returned to the shipping line on time, excess demurrage charges will be applicable. This can be overcome with real-time visibility and proper analysis of the inventory. With a proper Port Community System or an enterprise solution, this inventory management gets better.
Forecasting for incoming and outgoing containers in Port / terminal
Without prior information in hand, terminal operators always find it tough to handle the existing resources. If they had known the number of shipments coming in or going out, they can plan their resources accordingly.
Unlikely due to lack of communication between stakeholders and other factors, forecasting of incoming and outgoing containers is unavailable. Therefore, technologies such as Port Community System and trade corridors are enabling terminal yards and Port authorities to forecast incoming and outgoing containers in Port/terminal.
Technology Intervention in Specific Areas to Ensure Container Visibility in the Near Future
Yard Level Tracking
Knowing shipment movement on every milestone is important, but in a vast environment like Port, every yard has to be monitored. Therefore, now technologies involving yard management and tracking is on the rise. Very soon, community solution providers too will have an integrated yard level system as it gets more end-to-end.
Status & Condition Tracking
Status and condition tracking is more valid in terms of pharmaceutical shipments. For example, if vaccines or high potent medicines are transferred through ships then status and condition tracking is necessary. While Shipping Lines ensure the same in the carrier, it is not sure whether terminal yards are maintaining the recommended temperatures in order to maintain the potency of the medicines.
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning plays a major role here i.e., with predictive analytics capabilities. Changing temperatures can be alerted to the yard manager or others maintaining the shipments.
Carrier Connectivity
Through vessel declaration and management features, Port Community System does ensure proper connectivity between the source Port and the destination Port. In addition, when a carrier leaves the source, the destination Port receives vessel declaration and other relevant documents. However, one-on-one communication between the carrier and the Ports as well as centralized tracking of carrier movement can be tracked with carrier connectivity.
Wrapping Up
Therefore, container visibility as a tech feature is taking new turns every day. While it is getting into the specifics, the demand to digitize is gradually rising. By the time, the entire maritime world accepts digitization, the new normal will be a digitized work environment. Advent of 5G, Blockchain, IoT and other technologies are shaping up this transformation. Going forward, the industry has to gear up for tech investments.
About the Author
Mr. Umesh Kurlekar, Senior Consultant for Ocean Cargo, Kale Logistics Solutions
Umesh Kurlekar brings with him more than 20 years of experience from port operations and shipping lines. He spearheads the CODEX – Port Community System (PCS) development for global markets. Executed under his leadership, CODEX has been recognized by esteemed institutions like the United Nations, Asian Development Bank and CII for its innovation in Trade Facilitation.
