The trial with the digital collaboration platform Pronto (currently known as PortXchange Synchronizer) was launched at Shell Europoort Terminal in Rotterdam. By reducing the idle time on the departure of Shell’s vessels by 20%, the trial improved efficiency and decreased the planning costs of all the participants: terminal, agent, shipping line, and service provider.
Participants in the trial were Shell Europoort Terminal, the local pilots of Loodswezen, and Vopak agency. A baseline measurement had established that on average, vessels wait 210 minutes before leaving the port. This metric can be significantly reduced if all the parties involved in a port call have a better overview of each other’s planning.
“Pronto is a good example of how the Port Authority uses new digital solutions to raise the efficiency of processes in the port,” says Port Authority CFO Paul Smits. “Pronto is based on international standards and offers shipping companies, agents, service providers, and operators a joint platform for the exchange of port call-related information. The application allows all users to optimally plan, execute and monitor activities throughout the entire port call. This yields concrete benefits for all parties involved.
“Pronto is a good example of how the Port Authority uses new digital solutions to raise the efficiency of processes in the port”
Shell was one of the parties that experienced significant improvements in the port call planning during the pilot. Ed Barsingerhorn (GM Shipping & Maritime, Europe & Africa) from Shell: “The pilot convinced us of the added value of Pronto. We have reduced the waiting time up to 20% for departing ships. It is essential that all parties involved in the process, including terminal and agent, work closely together and share relevant data. When we exchange time stamp data not only in Rotterdam but also between ports, the improvement potential increases significantly. Ships can sail optimally laden and arrive just-in-time through better planning.”
