New Zealand based software and solutions company, Jade, has reported success in a series of implementation projects at shipping terminals along the south-eastern coast of the United States.
Diversified Port Holdings (DPH), an integrated ports logistics business, selected Jade to implement its terminal operating system across five of its shipping terminals. The third installation has been completed in just six weeks.
For the port terminal focused on improving its competitiveness with shippers, automating vehicle appointments also offers a marketing opportunity.
Addressing this problem can become a marketing tool for the growing and ambitious port.
The transportation industry has been watching with interest, the port congestion situation along the USA’s west coast in recent months. Los Angeles and Long Beach terminal operators have been plagued with delays, causing immense frustration to their shipping customers.
According to a survey that trade magazine Journal of Commerce (JOC) released last month, 65% of 138 shippers they interviewed were considering permanently diverting cargo to ports outside the west coast area because of the delays.
Causes of the congestion are complex and interlinked, with the JOC identifying 12 major causes including cargo volume increases and labor relations issues. A significant component has also been truck queues at gates.
A survey conducted at west coast terminals showed that in October 2014 over a third of truck turns (queuing, delivering and leaving) were over two hours, double the accepted maximum for efficient delivery of cargo.
Like any infrastructure, port terminals are built to handle a level of peak congestion. Most of the time they can cope easily with volume, but at the peak things get challenging, including managing truck traffic. According to industry reports, congestion starts to emerge when a port is operating at 80% of capacity.
Truck congestion is a lever most ports can pull to reduce pressure on their infrastructure during peak times. Automation can help allocate truck visits more efficiently, improving carrier experience and also reducing local impacts like excessive noise or carbon emissions.
For the port terminal focused on improving its competitiveness with shippers, automating vehicle appointments also offers a marketing opportunity. Freight transport providers are increasingly focused on gaining market share not by cutting prices, but by delivering more value to their customers for the same cost. Ports that can reach down the supply chain and help make freight flow more efficiently between transport modes offer a real value proposition to shippers.
Read more about how your terminal can manage the flow of vehicles through your gate operations in our Vehicle Booking System fact sheet.
Abu Dhabi Ports chooses Master Terminal for seven terminals, adding to a record-setting 2014 for Master Terminal.
Christchurch, 23 January 2015 – Jade Logistics capped off a successful 2014 with a seven terminal sale of its Master Terminal port management software to Abu Dhabi Ports Company, further enhancing Jade’s reputation as the mixed cargo terminal operating system of choice in the Gulf region.
The sale ends a year of substantial multi-terminal deals in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, including a record-breaking third quarter, and brings the total number of new marine terminal wins for 2014 to 29.
Abu Dhabi Ports will use Master Terminal to manage all aspects of its general cargo operations, including bulk, break bulk, project and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) cargo.
Jade’s Managing Director David Lindsay says “We are excited to have formed this new relationship with Abu Dhabi Ports and look forward to working closely with them to not only achieve their operational goals, but also to support their growth aspirations for the future.”
The first two ports to be implemented are Zayed Port, located in the north-eastern area of Abu Dhabi city, and Khalifa Port, a deep water port midway between the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Both of these ports play a key role in the import and export of goods in and around the United Arab Emirates (UAE), handling approximately 20 million tonnes of cargo per annum.
Gary Lemke, Executive Vice President Ports Unit, Abu Dhabi Ports says the port operator is committed to continual investment in order to stay competitive in the 21st century, and the partnership with Jade to replace their existing software will play a key role in this.
“We selected Jade after a comprehensive technical and commercial evaluation process. Master Terminal was the best overall product and we look forward to a successful project. Jade also brings a wealth of experience in general cargo terminals and this knowledge is crucial to us as we transform our business to be the leading general cargo port operator in the region.”
Lindsay adds: “This latest success further emphasises our commitment to the UAE region and to building long term relationships with our customers. It also cements Jade’s position as the fastest growing terminal operating system (TOS) provider in the mixed cargo market.”
Master Terminal will replace ADPC’s legacy general cargo system. Implementation of both the Zayed and Khalifa Ports will commence early 2015.
Jade Logistics’ port management software, Master Terminal has been selected by one of Africa’s busiest port operators, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to operate two of the continents major sea ports.
Ghana’s Tema and Takoradi ports which are some of the busiest terminals in West Africa, handle the majority of the country’s growing exports of raw minerals, produce and oil.
David Lindsay, CEO of Jade Logistics, says Ghana Ports are strategically located being close to shipping routes and major ports of call for ships from all continents.
“We’re thrilled as the Ghana win gets Master Terminal into two important ports in the world’s fastest growing region with cargo volumes expected to rise markedly.”
“This is also strategically significant as it represents the first penetration into the burgeoning African continent for Jade and Master Terminal. The two ports in Ghana handle approximately 17 million tonnes of mixed cargo and containers, with vast opportunities for growth in the coming years. In particular container traffic is forecast to double over the next decade,” says Lindsay.
Lindsay adds that Master Terminal with its specialist ability to manage mixed cargo and multi-terminal customer needs is a perfect fit for growing and ambitious ports such as Tema and Takoradi.
“Tema, which is the larger of the two sea ports and services a busy industrial city. In a typical year Tema will receive on average over 1650 ships, including container, general cargo, tankers, roll on roll off and cruise vessels so Master Terminal is ideal to cater for this diverse mix.”
Lindsay notes that Takoradi port is ideally placed to Accra, the capital of Ghana as well as Abidjan, the capital city of La Cote d’Ivoire and so has become the preferred gateway to the middle and northern parts of Ghana and the Sahelian landlocked countries of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.
“Like Tema, Takoradi is serviced by all the leading international shipping lines and in addition, because of its proximity to the rich oil and gas fields, Takoradi is also able to support the specialist supply vessels involved in exploration and production activities.”
The General Manager-Marketing and Business Development for Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mrs Alice Torkornoo says the port operator was looking for a solution to effectively manage its two busy ports, and at the same time be able to scale its operations to handle the increased volumes expected over the coming years.
“Master Terminal was selected as the best fit. The multi-cargo aspect perfectly suits our ports, and the proven technology and strong support network gave us confidence that Master Terminal would enable us to compete for new business, increase efficiency, security and consumer confidence, while reducing our costs,” says Torkornoo.
David Lindsay adds that Jade was delighted to be selected by Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, especially as the Authority looks to position itself in the region through an extensive expansion and modernisation programme.
“Master Terminal is the leading and fastest growing system globally for mixed cargo terminals, I am confident it will support productivity and efficiency gains for Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority.
“Jade will now look to engage channel partners in the wider African region to support the increased Master Terminal sales demand.”
Implementation of Tema and Takoradi will commence this year with go live in 2014.
Jade Logistics today announces a significant ports new business win in mainland United States for its terminal operating system Master Terminal.
Diversified Port Holdings (DPH)* an integrated ports logistics business will be implementing Master Terminal at five of its shipping terminals in the south-eastern United States (two in Jacksonville, and one in each of the following locations: Mobile, New Orleans and Port Everglades).
Jade Software Managing Director David Lindsay says the DPH contract is a significant opportunity for the company.
“It’s sizable in dollar terms and will also allow Jade to expand its footprint in the US and build on existing customer relationships in the market.
“Master Terminal stood out because it is uniquely suited to DPH’s mixed cargo ports, and offers a flexible and highly reliable system to manage operations.
“DPH is also focussed on improving efficiency and competing aggressively for market share, something that Master Terminal will equip them to do,” says Lindsay.
DPH’s decision process included a visit to New Zealand in July by five company representatives to review Master Terminal sites at Port Nelson, Port Otago and CentrePort.
DPH CIO Dennis Rhodes says: “After an extensive review of the Terminal Operating Systems available, Master Terminal was the only system that met the needs of our mixed cargo terminals. We were impressed by the functionality and use of Master Terminal and the capability of the Jade team.
“We expect, once implemented, that Master Terminal will result in improved efficiency across our terminals and lead to significant savings for the company,” says Rhodes.
Implementation at DPH ports will start in the first quarter of 2013.
Master Terminal is also enjoying considerable success in the Middle East, supporting the company’s aim to be the fastest growing terminal operating system provider in that region.
*DPH has since had a name change to Patriot Ports.