TABS increases truck transaction by 50%

Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) and Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) have seen significant improvements in efficiency since digitizing and employment of the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) in 2015.

TABS is a collaborative platform provided by Australian port solutions provider 1-Stop Connections Pty Ltd. for the local government and supply-chain stakeholders.

The digital solution enables real-time sharing of live container data and allows terminal operators to match terminal resources with landside demand.

With TABS in place at both MICT and ATI terminals, a more organized in- and out-flow of containerized cargoes from both terminals is expected for a more efficient and productive Philippine supply-chain.

After using TABS, truck transactions of MICT and ATI reached 60,000 per month from what was previously 40,000.

Efficiency increased by 25 percent during peak hours, unclogging ports and the roads around it.

It was also because of increased efficiency that the truck ban imposed for traffic reduction in Manila was lifted due to the effectivity of the system.

“The national government and the port authority want to operate ports 24/7 to the highest level of capacity utilization achievable. With a system like TABS which allows us to modify behavior, plan the arrivals and departures of trucks better, we’re now seeing an alignment between what the local government and road departments want and port authorities and national government want,” said Christian Gonzalez, senior vice president and regional head of Asia Pacific and MIC, International Container Terminal Services, Inc.

“Prior to TABS, the trucks would arrive randomly at the port, hence the long queues we’ve had for many years. What TABS did was regulate that over a 24-hour period. That has proved successful since we implemented it,” said Ian Baking, assistant vice president for Business Development of ATI.

Recent statistics reflect a 5.1 percent increase in the trade of goods.

The Philippine Ports Authority reported that container traffic soared to up to 53 percent nearing the final quarter of 2017.

MICT is the Philippines’ busiest, most modern, and largest container terminal with an annual capacity of 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).

ATI is a Philippine Stock Exchange-listed port operator, developer and investor and operate the Manila South Harbor, the Port of Batangas, Batangas Container Terminal, the Port of General Santos and off-dock yards in Sta. Mesa, Manila and Calamba, Laguna.

Source: Malaya Business Insight