Nowadays, the Shipping Industry follows two main courses of action. Dealing with competitiveness and efficiency in operations while pursuing environmental goals, driven mainly by public attention and IMO’s willpower. In this sense, unnecessary wasted time waiting for berth allocation and fuel consumption can be optimized, specially when available technology is already on our doorstep to help.
The basis are simple, relying on a continuous communication between port authorities, vessels and terminal operators, in which Recommended Time of Arrivals (RTA) and ETA updates play a role. JIT arrivals, therefore, could be accomplished joining together collaboration, standardization, digitalisation and technological support.
However, challenges include coping with first-come-first-served basis for vessel’s allocation, contractual agreements for charter parties, cyber security, lack of standards and sharing what could be considered as sensible information.
«Technology enabling Just-In-Time arrivals presents an interesting opportunity to address some of the waste in the marine industry.»
Wartsila, a Finnish smart technology provider for the marine market, proposes an open platform for seamlessly connectivity and data sharing, based on collaboration.
The process is the following:
- A RTA is submitted and updated by the port. In accordance, an optimal route and speed is calculated, both time slot and journey are sent to the vessel for its acceptance. On approval, it adjusts speed and starts a regular ETA update through the platform, keeping the other members informed to secure a JIT arrival.
- The connection to such platform can be built-in directly to Port Authority’s PMS and Terminal’s TOS systems or deploying additional middleware components.
- Whenever integration is not an option, the exchange of information its hold on a lightweight web interface.
- From the vessel’s side, satellite communications are improved with more affordable and reliable equipment for trustworthy information.
Simulations and analysis have been conducted with promising results. Acting in the prior 24 hour time frame of vessel port calls can imply fuel savings up to 10%.
Benefits are either expected for ports, terminals and vessels, including:
- Reductions in fuel consumption and CO2/GHG emissions, as a result of speed adjustments during the journey and decreased anchorage times, together with the implied cost reduction.
- Increasing navigational safety due to less congested port areas and the avoidance of ship drifting nearby port areas, waiting for berth availability.
- Reducing inefficiencies and boosting operational planning and resource allocation, by means of an open dialogue between stakeholders.
- Increased visibility in port calls, with RTA and ETA updating exchanges.
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