EUROPEAN PORTS\\\


Rotterdam releases Container 42; emphasizes Pronto A


As part of its quest to be the world’s “smartest port”, the Port of Rotterdam sent its hyper- smart Container 42 on a trip around the world. Its first leg of the two-year data-collecting mission is to measure changes in parameters like vibration, slope, position, sound, local air pollution, humidity and temperature. The unit has also been fitted


with solar panels, which can be used to determine how much power a container can generate during a given journey by ship, train or truck. Container 24 houses an array of sensors and communications equipment. Rotterdam,


Europe’s


largest seaport, is noted as taking the lead in the digital transformation of port and logistics activities. Container 42 is considered a metaphor for this transformation. In setting out its measure, port officials want


to find out just


what a container shipment goes through when it is shipped by sea or overland. This information will be recorded by Container 42. “The collected data provides


insight into the challenges faced during


transport a and


logistics and contributes to the development of


so-called


‘digital twin’ for the port: a digital representation of the actual, physical port area,” states port officials in a press release. The


foundations for the


project are formed by the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s existing Internet of Things (IoT)


platform. The Port Authority uses this cloud-based platform to collect and process data coming in from sensors installed throughout the port area. This provides users with real-time information about the local infrastructure, water and air quality, among other things – allowing the port of Rotterdam to further improve its provision of services. The goal is for the


digitalization of Rotterdam’s port services to contribute to the even safer, swiſter and more reliable forwarding of cargo. “At some point in the future, it will also enable Rotterdam to accommodate


autonomous


shipping in its port area,” the release states. The Port of Rotterdam


IoT platform is the result of a collaborative effort with partners IBM, Cisco, Esri and Axians. This collaboration is expected to facilitate further development in autonomous shipping, artificial intelligence, real-time analytics and blockchain.


Pronto A


Other efforts in digitalization include


the digital platform POH_254_x_077.qxp_(FBJNA) 13.03.19 11:05 Seite 1


Pronto A. According to the port, a growing number of shipping companies, terminals and nautical service providers in the port are sharing information in real time via the digital platform. A pilot project at the ECT Delta Terminal, operated


by Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam (ECT), revealed that this ‘single point of truth’ can lead to significant improvements – thanks in part to smoother communications between the parties involved. Container shipping company MSC has been working with Pronto for some time and encourages its partners to do this too. “For us, this is the future”,


stated Bob den Ouden, Special Projects Manager at MSC and Erwin


de Jong, Operations


Manager. “Pronto is a diorama in which data from various links in the chain converge real time. If everyone sees the same data at the same time, there is one truth and you no longer need to have discussions about data. This means that everyone can make quicker decisions and take necessary actions.” Pronto uses the functional


definitions of the Port Call Optimization Taskforce, which increases the quality of the information input. Data owners can deliver their information directly, which removes links in the communications chain. “The input is intrinsic to


the output, which increases the quality of the information exchange,” says de Jong. “It is a user-friendly application, available 24/7. That is the strength of this central, digital platform, which is why we think that everyone should participate in it. Coordination can take place earlier in the process and is of higher quality.


This makes process more


efficient and high-quality. MSC vessels are mainly


handled on the north side of the ECT Delta Terminal. These large container ships must be unloaded, loaded, bunkered and stocked efficiently. Sander de Jong, Consultant Operations at ECT, outlined the challenges associated with this: “Ports are dynamic and continuous production


environments


in which schedules change continuously. As terminal, we depend on updates that clients provide to us by telephone or e-mail. We do not always receive these in time. Communications are sometimes difficult, particularly at night. Pronto fills that gap.” Pronto was recently used


for the first time at the Delta Terminal for a six-week period. Operational staff at ECT noticed significant improvements. “Two colleague day and


night service staff worked with Pronto and were very enthusiastic,” de Jong states. “When we schedule vessels for a certain time window it is important that these are also handled entirely within this window. Working with Pronto has


resulted improvements


in in


significant this


area.


We now receive more timely updates from shipping companies, and we can better utilize our quay. We receive faster and clearer information, which enables us to take better decisions and optimize our processes.”


Issue 5 2019 - FBJNA


21


Belgium launches digital customs platform


As a large European foreign


trade hub, Belgium wants to significantly simplify the import and export of goods. The BE-GATE customs platform was developed for this purpose and officially launched on 6 June. The portal, which was specially designed for the growth market of e-commerce, serves to accelerate and increase the efficiency of customs clearance in the cross-border flow of goods. BE-GATE was developed on the initiative of the Belgium Customs and Excise Department and is unique in Europe. The new platform is already supported by four important e-commerce hubs, the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge and the airports of Brussels and Liège. The free-of-charge customs


portal BE-GATE is designed for processing large amounts of data and guarantees rapid clearance of customs


applications. A high number of arrival notifications can be transmitted simultaneously via an officially customs approved form. For shipments of less than


or equal to 22 euros, this form also serves as a declaration of release for consumption. For all other shipments, an additional declaration in the Belgian customs software solution PLDA (PaperLess Douanes et Accises / Paperless Customs & Excise) is required. Retailers also automatically


receive information on those shipments that have been selected for customs control. All other shipments are released immediately. In addition, the software solution provides a recommendation for the concrete determination of the customs value on the basis of defined criteria, if the customs value cannot be determined by an alternative method.


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