Connect with us

Container Terminal

APM Terminals introduces APIs to transform the next generation of terminal data

Published

on

APM Terminals introduces APIs to transform the next generation of terminal data. Image: APM Terminals
Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

APM Terminals has introduced application programming interface accessibility to build stronger, digital supply chains for logistics customers. APIs allow data to be transmitted in just seconds from the terminals’ operating systems directly to customers own transport management or logistics systems.

“We have co-developed our APIs with customers looking for real-time data to give them better visibility at the container terminal level,” said David Francis, APM Terminals Head of Digital Customer Solutions. Once a customer queries a container or multiple containers, they’ll receive the latest status of the container instantly. “By creating better integration with our data through APIs we can improve decision-making for our customers and remove supply chain inefficiencies, which are costing the industry billions each year,” he explains.

During the pandemic, cargo visibility issues have been exacerbated due to, among other things, transport and travel restrictions, reduced capacity and additional import/export controls. At the same time, demand patterns literally changed overnight as employees started to work remotely. “Never before, has speed and visibility been so key for improving the flow of goods and managing expectations,” says Francis.

Delivery experience as important as the product

The exponential increase in ecommerce and the urgency of home deliveries brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fact that for some customers, the delivery experience has become integral to the product itself. For companies wanting to gain a competitive edge, getting this right is essential.

Currently, logistics companies spend a lot of time calling or emailing for cargo status updates. Over the last few months, this has been exacerbated by critical cargo for medical support and delays caused by reduced staffing. Apart from being inefficient in terms of human capital, this can also lead to error and delays.

A step up from EDI

Larger logistics companies may also rely on Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), which has been commonly used since the 1970s. However, as the internet’s capabilities have grown, the use of APIs are playing an increasingly important role, offering easier integration into digital ecosystems used by customers.

The packaging and sending of data using EDI can, in some scenarios, result in data being outdated several hours, increasing the likelihood of supply chain partners using incorrect information to make decisions. This makes APM Terminals’ APIs the ideal solution for shipping lines, inland transporters, cargo owners and managers, and data aggregators who process higher volumes.

Initially, APM Terminals is making APIs available to track import availability at container level, including container data, estimated time of arrival and date of discharge from the vessel, the status of the container, any holds on the container, and whether a truck appointment has been made.

The company is also offering an API to track vessel schedules in real-time, including estimated arrival and departure times, and cut-off times for delivering a variety of container types.

APIs speed implementation, save time and create a digital edge 

APM Terminals’ APIs use familiar standard protocols, meaning that implementation by the customer is a fast, one-time process that saves time and IT resources. Any maintenance on the API is carried out by APM Terminals.

The first locations to support the import availability and vessel schedule APIs are APM Terminals Pier 400 Los Angeles, California – North America’s largest privately-operated container terminal and Pacific gateway to the United States along with APM Terminals Port Elizabeth – the company’s largest container terminal on the US East Coast serving as the Atlantic gateway to the US and Canada – and APM Terminals Mobile, Alabama – the company’s US Gulf gateway to the Southeast, Midwest and Central Canada. Fifteen more terminals in the company’s global portfolio will be added by the end of the year.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Container Terminal

APM Terminals expands its API offering

Published

on

APM Terminals expands its API offering. Image: APM Terminals
APM Terminals expands its API offering. Image: APM Terminals
Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

 

In response to customer feedback, this month APM Terminals rolled out a new API which enables customers to track the schedules and key milestones for all vessels calling at a specific terminal. Furthermore, real-time API data connectivity was made available for an additional three terminals.

APM Terminals has offered a Vessel Schedule API for some years, however this was more suited to customers looking to track a specific vessel calling a terminal. The new Terminal Vessel Schedule enables customers to track all vessels calling a terminal, for up to one week in the past and two weeks ahead.

The Terminal Vessels Schedule provides customers with, among other things, real-time and reliable terminal Estimated Time of Arrival/Departure, Earliest Receiving Date, Cut-Off Times for different cargo types, vessel details and more.

Why use APIs?

APM Terminals’ innovative, industry-leading range of seven APIs enables customers to pull real-time container status, truck appointment and vessel data from its Terminal Operating Systems, into their own internal systems, such as a Logistics or Transport Management System (TMS). Developed in line with industry standards, they offer self-service, straight forward, one-time-only implementation.

Real-time data feeds remove the need to look up information manually via our existing Track & Trace channels, making this the ideal solution for shipping lines, inland transporters, cargo owners and managers, and data aggregators who process higher volumes.

The pricing structure of the new Terminal Vessel Schedule is particularly interesting for larger customers tracking a number of vessels as unlike the existing Vessel Schedule API, pricing is not per vessel called via the API, but for unlimited calls for a period of 30 days, for a specific terminal. As with the company’s existing range of APIs, API calls are purchased using API credits which can be bought in bundles. The larger the bundle, the lower the price per credit.

New Terminals

API connectivity was added for the company’s two Ports in India, APM Terminals Mumbai and APM Terminal Pipavav, as well as the Suez Canal Container Terminal (SCCT) in Egypt. SCCT support data for Vessel Schedules, Import Containers and Export Containers. The Indian terminals support data for Vessel Schedules, Import Containers, Container Event History and Empty Container Returns.

With these additional Terminals, APM Terminals now offer’s API connectivity for 22 of its terminals, with an additional five planned to be added this year.

Continue Reading

Container Terminal

MOL join the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe

Published

on

By

MOL join the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe, Image: MOL
MOL join the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe, Image: MOL
Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

 

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the Port Island Phase 2 Development Project at the Port of Kobe with Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.

Following the phase 2 South Pier expansion and improvement work undertaken by Kobe-Osaka International Port Corporation, MOL will add berth PC-14 and the land behind the terminal to its lease and expand Kobe International Container Terminal. MOL currently leases KICT and operates berths PC-15/16/17 along with Sankyu Inc., Sumitomo Warehouse Co., Ltd., and Nickel & Lyons Ltd. The MoU also calls for “K” Line, which currently operates a container terminal on Rokko Island, to join KICT. After the completion of the expansion and improvement work, KICT will be the largest terminal in western Japan, handling about 40% of international container cargo at the Port of Kobe.

The expanded KICT will have a total wharf length of 1,750m, up from the current 1,050m, providing more flexible berth windows and streamlining connections for containers with other routes. Furthermore, a Container freight station directly connected to the terminal and a logistics facility with an overhead crane that can move larger cargo, will be built on the land behind the terminal, offering one-stop service from loading of cargo containers to delivery to the terminal. MOL Group company Shosen Koun Co., Ltd. will operate these facilities, delivering convenient and competitive logistics services to customers throughout the group.

MOL has positioned environmental strategy as one of the key elements of in its “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan, and set the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse (GHG) emissions by 2050 in the “MOL Group Environmental Vision 2.2.” Last year, Shosen Koun became the first company in Japan to introduce two new transfer cranes (RTGs), which can be converted from conventional diesel engines to hydrogen fuel cells to power the RTGs used for container handling operations at KICT. And the company will adopt the new electric RTGs in the terminal expansion area. In addition, it plans to install solar panels on the container gate and the roof of the logistics facility. Through these concerted group-wide initiatives, the MOL Group will contribute to the reduction of GHG emissions from the container terminal.

MOL has positioned the Port of Kobe as an important base for its domestic business for many years, and its group companies currently operate the port, logistics, tugboat, and real estate businesses, each of which has deep roots in the local community. In April of last year, the Kobe Shosen Mitsui Building celebrated the centennial anniversary of its completion. With the KICT expansion project, the MOL Group will further solidify its business base and offer stress-free services to customers.

Continue Reading

Container Terminal

APM Terminals Callao receives largest capacity container ship MSC Chiyo

Published

on

APM Terminals Callao receives largest capacity container ship MSC Chiyo. Image: APM Terminals
APM Terminals Callao receives largest capacity container ship MSC Chiyo. Image: APM Terminals
Listen to the story (FreightComms AudioPost)

 

The Callao Multipurpose North Terminal, operated by APM Terminals, welcomed “MSC Chiyo”, the largest capacity container ship to ever call in Peru. The new container ship, operated by shipping line MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) came into operation this year.

At 366m long and 51m wide, the vessel operates on the ANDES Service, which connects Callao with the Asian continent. The MSC Chiyo has a higher-than-normal container capacity due to its maximum draft of 17 meters. With 16,616 TEU (20-foot container equivalent) on board, it became the largest capacity vessel to ever arrive on the west coast, compared to the 14,000 TEU ships normally operating on the same service.

During its stay at APM Terminals Callao, 2,586 crane moves were made in total. This included 1,522 import TEUs and 1,483 export TEUs, which were handled with the terminals five super post panamax ship-to-shore cranes for almost the entire operation. An impressive crane productivity of 115 moves per hour was achieved.

“At APM Terminals Callao we are proud to be the main port in the country and to be the first to receive ships of this capacity,” commented Fernando Fauche, Commercial Director of APM Terminals Callao.

“One of the factors that make events like this a reality is the great care and priority we give to our internal safety and security standards, ensuring that they are 100% met and providing guarantees to our clients. The arrival of this large vessel is undoubtedly a milestone for the terminal, and events like this reaffirm our mission to become an international hub for the different players in the logistics sector and thus continue to meet the needs of the local and global market.”

Continue Reading

Popular

Copyright © 2017-18 | FreightComms | Made with ♥ in Singapore