Making communications count

In the space of 20 years, technology has changed across the globe. Back in 1992, mobile phones were luxury accessories for the upwardly mobile, the internet was still in its infancy, and social media was a microscopic dot on the horizon.

Today, though, technology has come on leaps and bounds, and for port operators, it’s those technological breakthroughs that have allowed for easier, advanced day-to-day operations.

Take the communications sector. Gone are the days of headphones and creaky wireless systems. In 2012, innovations like the internet or wi-fi mean that port communications are easier, more practical and far more in-depth than ever before. But are ports fully embracing these technological communication miracles?

John Attenborough, port chaplain for the Port of Antwerp, comments: “Communication facilities vary from company to company and from port to port.”

In one sense, there is the problem of different requirements between the port and the terminal operator. “Ports have the problem that they might own the land, but it’s the terminal’s operator who has the say,” says Mr Attenborough. “I recently approached one of the terminal operators here to ask if they could fix a booster on their building to aid seafarers contacting home. Their reply was that it would cost too much to run! The unit would have been supplied by the authority and I’m sure that the electricity needed would have been minimal, but it is a good example of one side wanting to do something and the other needing to be convinced.”

Commitment challenge

Part of the issue is that – as Mr Attenborough points out – operators must invest the right amounts of time and effort into standardised communication facilities. The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, encourages the development of welfare boards to assess facilities in ports and to review their adequacy. “In the Port of Antwerp, they have put a lot of investment into the welfare facilities here and we have a very active port welfare board,” says Mr Attenborough. “Every port will argue about budgets and who pays for what, but the Port of Antwerp actively looked at how they could help seafarers.”

Mr Attenborough adds that in an ideal world, the level of communication facilities would be of the same standard: “It would be wonderful to think that a uniformed system will be put in place in every port in the world, but I can’t see that happening. It’s a matter of will and effort. We are fortunate in Antwerp that the port had the will and has put in the effort to make life easier for visiting crews.”

The Port of Antwerp boasts a port-wide wi-fi system. Initially, for a time, the wi-fi system was only available to workers within the port, but after a campaign by the welfare organisations there, the port split it to offer a free option to all the ships which call in.

Mr Attenborough comments: “There were a few teething problems at first and they had to limit the amount which could be downloaded as some seafarers were clogging it up with movies, etc. Now, everyone who logs in is allowed 300mb per day. When a user logs on, they are required to register and are given a username and password which lasts for one week and this is plenty of time for seafarers to use.”

Scottish style

It’s not just the Port of Antwerp that provides quality communication facilities. In 2007, Aberdeen Harbour was one of the first commercial ports to offer a dedicated wi-fi network for ships, after Dick Fleming Communications and Aberdeen Harbour Board worked together to provide this facility. The network allows for a modern, quicker and cheaper alternative to older style satellite systems, giving compete support for emails, browsing, messaging and phone calls through the internet.

And since then, more ports have used these means as ways for keeping in contact. Just recently, reports were made of two more ports providing port-wide wi-fi for seafarers – the Port of Southampton (which teamed up with SIM card provider, Ivitta Mobile to offer the service) and Subic Bay in the Philippines (after the Bay’s metropolitan authority created the idea to provide coverage for the whole port).

Internet technology is also being used to make loading and discharging of cargo easier and more efficient. Recently, DP World became one of the first global terminal operators to provide an internet service that allowed for container and vessel data in real time.

Jebel Ali port has introduced this 3G (3rd generation mobile telecommunications) service for container liner operators. It works on the principle of connecting carriers to the port via the Dubai Trade portal (www.dubaitrade.ae). The carriers can file BAPLIE (Bay Plan/Stowage Plan of Occupied and Empty Spaces) data quickly and efficiently. With that information, each container and location can be identified, and in addition, available spaces on board the vessel are noted. The terminal operators can work out efficient loading and discharging of the containers and cargo in conjunction with the carrier. Any particular handling needs and weight distribution for the stability of the ship are also taken into account.

Firm support

Senior vice president and managing director of the UAE region of DP World, Mohammed Al Muallem said that the BAPLIE message is the “backbone of electronic container stowage operation”.

“Using the 3G service in our operations is an exciting new initiative that adds to the tools we have rolled out to improve operational efficiencies at our flagship Jebel Ali Port. DP World constantly invests in technology to deliver supply chain efficiencies that directly benefit our customers.”

Mohammed Ali Ahmed, chief operating officer of DP World’s UAE Region, adds that the initiative is aimed to maximise customer experience and peace of mind. “This initiative to provide vessel bay plan downloads via 3G connections on the Dubai Trade portal will further enhance our quality services.”

However, communication technology can pose problems for port operators. Luceor WiMESH Systems highlights the fact that IT managers are faced with a number of challenges with respect to outdoor systems. Another issue is whether the wi-fi signal is strong enough.

“Wi-fi is an excellent facility,” says Mr Attenborough. “But the only drawback is that the port infrastructure can weaken the signal, making it difficult for seafarers to get a strong enough signal to contact home. The Mission identified a local store which sells booster antennae and seafarers purchase these to help them contact home. The benefit to this booster is that it’s universal, and so seafarers can contact home from other ports around the world.”

Setting standards

Providing standardised, port-wide communication facilities offers a number of benefits: not only do they provide methods to boost efficient, fast service (as in the case of the Jebel Ali port) or links between ports and ships, they also provide seafarers with that all-important link to their friends and families back home. More ports these days have caught on to these positives, but as Mr Attenborough says, there is still a good deal of work to do in this sector.

“The Antwerp Port Authority have made tremendous effort in what they are doing for seafarers, but there is always more that could be done, particularly in making it easier for seafarers to access the internet. There are now no telephone boxes anywhere in the port, but I would like to see them install wi-fi boxes so that the signal is strong all over the port. If you only have a smart phone and not a laptop, then you stand almost no chance of connecting to the free wi-fi on offer.

“I think the Port of Antwerp has done brilliantly and the service is well used by the crews visiting the second largest port in Europe. But like a lot of things when it comes to welfare, there is always more to be done.”