Sticking to schedules
Jade screen shot
Congestion might be a fond and distant memory for many ports right now - but that doesn't mean the headache of berth scheduling has gone away. Felicity Landon reports
Numerous variables can conspire to wreak havoc with vessel arrival and departure plans, from weather conditions to documentation issues to delays at an earlier port of call.
So what's a port to do?"Although reliable software can help mediate some of the effects, software alone cannot solve the problems associated with vessel arrival deviations," says Michael Schwank, president of Tideworks Technology. "It is truly a combination of the experience and know-how of the operator together with the right tools to do the job.
"An effective terminal operating system (TOS) and planning system quickly adapt to changes in the operation and can help the operator make the correct decisions expeditiously to minimise the impact on cargo operations, thereby also helping to minimise additional costs."
For example, effective berth planning software will allow the operator to re-allocate berth space, based on the new ETA, with minimal disruption to other vessel operations, while still maintaining a "best fit" scenario so that distances across the yard between container stack and berth are not dramatically affected.
"It will also provide the ability to regenerate berth plans quickly, for dissemination to those that need the information, such as pilots, line handlers, port authority, etc," he says.
The right software will also have the ability to plan any required container shuffling within the yard, ensuring that only the necessary containers are re-handled and that they are correctly positioned so as not to hamper downstream operations further, says Mr Schwank.
Jade Software Corporation says the terminals it works with report that berth scheduling is indeed a major headache for them.
"Shipping changes by the hour, given the large number of factors that can affect the expected arrival date of a vessel, and a considerable number of these, like weather-related issues, are completely out of anyone's control - therefore they are not going to go away in the foreseeable future," says Jade's programme manager - logistics, Dave Quennell.
The one fairly stable booking that terminals tend to have are cruise ship visits that are scheduled up to two years ahead and generally stick very closely to plans, he says.
With other vessels, it is very common for them to be delayed at a previous port of call. "This flow-on effect causes a lot of issues for the subsequent ports in the chain, with the visits often extending into scheduled bookings for other vessels, causing a serious problem."
He says larger shipping companies tend to have a stable, published rotation but when their ships are delayed, they acknowledge that they are then subject to a "best endeavours" schedule, given that they are then possibly encroaching on another vessel's confirmed slot.
Direct access to the port's berthing system enables them to determine the state of play online and in advance, determine if a delay will cause them potential berthing issues, and then discuss possible solutions with the terminal, says Mr Quennell.
"Shippers can see for themselves how congested the terminal is and also determine the availability of resources like cranes and other shore-based services, online in real time," he says.
PortVision has particular experience with waterborne plants and refineries across the Gulf of Mexico that must incorporate numerous variables affecting berth scheduling - including weather, one-way traffic, compliance of vessels and agents with respect to Notice of Readiness tenders, cargo handling procedures, resource availability and vessel maintenance, says PortVision president Dean Rosenberg.
"Aggregate demurrage in some Gulf ports exceeds $20m annually. While some demurrage costs may be unavoidable, a significant cost reduction can be realised through more effective berth scheduling."
Applying software to the berth scheduling challenge provides the opportunity to increase efficiency and reduce conflicts, says Mr Rosenberg.
"We have seen significant improvements through the use of collaborative scheduling software which provides schedule and real-time berth availability to all stakeholders - including dock personnel, agents, vessel owners, tugs and other service providers," he says.
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