A New Integrated Operation Management System

Jurong Port has re-engineered and transformed its general and bulk cargo (GBC) operations through the use of technologies. It has created a new integrated operations management system that leverages on IT and mobile technologies. The system, aimed at making key businesses processes cheaper, better and faster, was launched in April 2010.

The prime innovation in our new GBC operations management system is the leveraging of proven infocomm technologies to transform processes which traditionally have been manual, and paperwork-driven.

At the heart of the system is a new state-of-the-art C3I (Command, Communications, Control and Intelligence) centre set up in the port. This serves as the information and operational nerve centre of our GBC operations.

• Cargo Entry/Exit Tracking System
• Bulk Cargo Delivery System
• Online Master Risk Assessment System
• Container Tracking System
• Online Pass Application system
• Payment Collection System

Benefits

The innovative harnessing of infocomm technologies to drive our GBC operations has resulted in benefits for our stakeholders:

• For the port, it means that berths can now achieve a higher utilization rate, creating greater capacity for increased cargo volumes;
• For shipping companies, the shorter turnaround time means a reduction of cost, and a higher level of vessel productivity;
• For the licensed stevedoring companies that operate in the port, there is less paperwork and waiting time. Leveraging on The Stevedore Net, to be launched later this year, real time updates will be made possible, thus enhancing efficiency, and giving workers opportunities to upgrade their skills;
• For our customers, there is greater satisfaction through the availability of on-line access for pass applications, updating of master risk assessments and numerous other improvements that make it cheaper, faster and better for them.

Jurong Port has innovatively harnessed the power of proven infocomm technologies to achieve operational excellence for its general and bulk cargo operations.

Overview of Jurong Port's New Integrated Operation Management Systems

C3I (Command, Communications, Control and Intelligence) Centre

A state of the art C3I (Command, Communications, Control and Intelligence) system is located in the centre. The system automatically schedules all the major milestones of vessel operations such as vessel arrival and departure time, completion of risk assessment, bunkering activities, and cargo loading and unloading activities.

It then compares these planned milestones with real-time inputs from mobile PDAs carried by the mooring gang, stevedores and port staff at the wharf, warehouses and gates, to compute operation service levels; it also generate operational alerts for deviations, thus facilitating command, communications and control functions in the port.

This is the first time a mobile application system has been used in the general and bulk cargo industry in a port environment.

When a vessel berths, the mooring gang will enter the time of vessel arrival into the PDA. The Port’s safety officer, who is equipped with the mobile PDA, no longer needs to carry stacks of paper safety documents and checklists. All safety checks are recorded real-time via the mobile PDAs.

During vessel operations, the stevedore’s tally clerks will also input the cargo discharged and loaded via the mobile PDA applications. This replaces the paper time sheets previously employed. With more frequent and real-time updates of cargo discharged and loaded status, it is easier to monitor vessels’ performance.

At the warehouses, Jurong Port staff will use the mobile PDAs to conduct checks on cargo and track actual warehouse utilization.

The updated cargo and vessel status is then made available via Jurong Port’s online portal, JP-Online, so that the shipping community can better monitor the status of their vessels and cargo in port.

To monitor operational performance, a business intelligence platform is being implemented to transform raw operations data into crucial information available as dashboards and reports to relevant stakeholders, for marketing, operational and financial analysis of cargo operations.

Cargo Entry/Exit Tracking System

At the gates, the adoption of smart cards and bar-coded Self-Service Terminal print-outs replaces the manual paper documentation and checking with the ‘Tap-and-Go’ concept. The information pertaining to the cargo and the trucker are displayed on big monitors for security guards to check; this improves the overall gate processing time.

Bulk Cargo Delivery System

The system automates the bulk cargo delivery processes and enables bulk cargo customers to make use of JP ONLINE to declare cargo manifest and electronic delivery order. At the gate, the adoption of smart cards and bar-coded Self-Service Terminal print-outs replaces the manual paper documentation and checking with the ‘Tap-and-Go’ concept.

Container Tracking System

To tighten port security and enable traceability of containers, Container Tracking System enables tracking and tracing of containers being discharged or loaded from multiple-purpose vessels via a container-number and license-plate auto recognition system.

Master Risk Assessment System

An Online Master RA (Risk Assessment) computer system for vessels calling at Jurong Port is implemented to provide better services to the stevedores working in the port. In the past, a vessel will have to wait for 2 hours before cargo operations can commence; this is the time required for Port Safety Inspection officer to vet the risk assessment document (3 sets of 30 pages) submitted manually.

The new Online Master RA computer system eliminates this waiting time by allowing the stevedores to upload a master RA annually and thereafter to amend Online if there are any changes before the vessel arrives. This use of technology also makes it possible to save 800,000 pieces of paper which would otherwise be used to print the documents. It makes the port more environmentally friendly.

Online Pass Application

To improve customer’s satisfaction, Online Pass /Permits Application system has been developed. Port users do not need to queue at Jurong Port’s Pass Office for submission of their application forms for port entry passes. Time and effort are saved for our customers.

Payment Collection System

The system provides NETS/CASH card facilities as a mode of collection and does away with cash collection. This helps Jurong Port reduce cash handling and counting, and minimize risk of lost of cash in transit.