- Pronto enables optimisation of port calls in the Port of Rotterdam.
- Vessel delay for a few hours in the Port of Rotterdam, can result in delays of over a week in the schedule.
- Links in the chain compare their schedules real time with other parties’ schedules, enabling to respond to unexpected deviations.
- Pilot run to reduce delays as a result of bunkering activities from 19% to 10% over a period of six weeks, resulted in 0% delay.
The number of Maersk vessels experiencing delay at APM Terminals at Maasvlakte II as a consequence of bunker activities, reduced significantly during a Pronto pilot, says a press release published on Port of Rotterdam website.
Online communication platform
The online communication platform Pronto enables optimisation of port calls in the Port of Rotterdam by visualising the scheduling of all involved parties real-time in one environment.
Countless activities take place within the tight windows for loading and unloading of container ships at the terminals, including bunkering. “Rotterdam is an important port as it’s often the first or last port of call for Europe,” stated Marcel Jumelet, Marine Business Process Owner at Maersk.
Why is it needed?
“Our vessels have a tight sailing schedule: there’s hardly any buffer between the ports they call into. If a Triple E vessel (18,000 TEUs) is delayed for a few hours in the Port of Rotterdam, this can result in delays of over a week later on in the schedule. That’s why timely handling of bunker activities is important for both the terminal and the shipping company,” says Jumelet.
Some 19% of large Maersk vessels experienced delay at APMT MVII as a consequence of bunkering not taking place at the agreed time.
This also presented problems for the terminal, stated Ad van Strien, Planning Manager at APMT MVII. When a vessel remains berthed for longer than envisaged, there is an idle capacity situation. This in turn means crane capacity can no longer be optimised.
Complex planning
Michiel Zeevaart, Operations Manager at shipping agent Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) says that bunkering is a complex process.
A large bunkering operation needs to be ordered days in advance. After blending, tests are needed to check whether specifications have been met for delivery to take place.
Bunker vessels supply multiple sea-going vessels per day. Delays in one bunkering impact the bunkering deliveries to subsequent vessels. As well as bunkering, countless other activities take place in handling container ships in a global port such as Rotterdam, including registering waste and stocking vessels.
Michiel says, “as shipping agent we try to coordinate schedules as tightly as possible, with the planned vessel departure time being the leading factor. Our planners rely on up-to-date information on terminal times and nautical service provider delivery times. This generally runs smoothly on the terminal side, but on the supplier side, many improvements could be made.”
Anticipating delay
“This is actually where the added value of Pronto lies,” stated Port Call Optimisation Specialist Rob Koggel.
In this virtual environment, all links in the chain compare their schedules real time with other parties’ schedules. Thus enabling them to respond much better to unexpected deviations from previously made agreements.
Pilot run with Pronto
The Port Authority, APMT MVII, Maersk and ISS jointly ran a pilot with Pronto in 2018 concerning the bunkering of Maersk vessels at the APMT MVII.
The aim : To reduce delays as a consequence of bunkering activities from 19% to 10% over a period of six weeks.
The result : 0% delay – exceeded expectations.
What was the comment after pilot?
Eddo Idzinga, Port Captain Rotterdam at Maersk: “As shipping company, we used to have no insight into bunker schedules. But we do now, thanks to Pronto. This enables us to help devise solutions if we see that a bunker delay looks likely. For instance, in some cases it can be an option to continue sailing to the next port and bunker there.”
Michiel Zeevaart: “The notifications in Pronto are an extra trigger for us as shipping agent. For instance, if the terminal makes changes to the planned departure time a few hours in advance, we know we need to take action.”
One reality
With Pronto, unexpected developments can be prevented from becoming a problem. By anticipating problems in advance, adjustments can be made accordingly. The right source is real-time information.
Sharing data enables to create one reality. This increases quality and reliability throughout the chain. If delays at a terminal is known on time, sailing speed of the vessels can be adjusted accordingly.
Jumelet says, “If we reduce the speed of a Triple E vessel a few hours in advance, the savings are tremendous, as it uses less fuel and emissions are lower.”
Everything is fixed
Eddo Idzinga said, “The bunker pilot with Pronto was well organised. We had daily evaluation calls with all stakeholders. It’s also great that Pronto was developed using agile methodology. This means you can make quick switches and changes. During the pilot we discovered some bugs in the system that we resolved immediately. We resolved everything.”
“As Port Captain at Maersk, it’s my responsibility to ensure that our vessels can leave the terminal again as quickly as possible. As well as the bunker supplies, I can envisage using this for other focus areas, including the exchange of vessels. That’s why we’d be delighted to work on further Pronto pilots.”
National and international pilots
Further pilots are being organised, because optimising port calls offers competitive advantages for the Port of Rotterdam.
Koggel: “This enables the port to handle more vessels at the same time. We’ve also identified various improvement points, including the just-in-time arrival of vessels and berth exchange.”
Dita Bruijn, Port Call Optimisation Project Manager at the Port Authority: “We’re running pilots with Pronto both in container shipping and in wet and dry bulk and we recognise that each process presents other challenges within the Port of Rotterdam. Pronto was developed with input from many parties in the port, which means that it offers opportunities to optimise port calls from start to finish and for all cargo types. The Port of Rotterdam community’s challenges are challenges that are also faced by other ports. We’ll be examining how Pronto can support them too.”
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Source: PortofRotterdam
