Pre-advice system beds down fairly smoothly in CT

The acceptance of a preadvice system aimed at improving truck processing and traffic flow into the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT) and Agri Roro Terminal (CTAR) has exceeded expectations despite a few teething problems, according to Velile Dube, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) general manager: Western Cape operations. “We believe that the level of compliance we are seeing, which is above average at 99%, is a definite indicator that the benefits will be felt soon by all the stakeholders,” Dube told FTW. He said with ongoing feedback – be it positive or negative – from stakeholders they were in a position to continuously work on improvements. “We are working on matters as they arise. There have been instances where truckers arrive at the gate without the containers having been pre-advised,” he said. “Although these are exceptions, trucking companies are advised to confirm with the respective shipping line that their containers have been pre-advised before entering the terminal. We have also made available a website which helps to ascertain the status of the containers as well as a call centre which may be contacted.” The pre-advice system became mandatory on October 1 after a onemonth roll-out period. It is a paperless means of administering exports entering the terminals and improves the fluidity of the supply chain as it requires all shipping lines and agents to comply with the requirement of pre-advice to TPT of their container information. According to Dube, it is a means of standardising gate processes across TPT terminals. In this way, trucking companies are able to have the same experience irrespective of the terminal at which they may call. “It eliminates driver capturing errors related to container numbers, weight and seal number at our gates, and allows for accurate and complete capturing into the Navis system, thereby also reducing amendment fees,” he said. “The system is essentially paperless, allowing the industry to save on the costs of documentation such as the CTO – except for hazardous or out-of-gauge containers. Dube said industry buyin had played a major role in the smooth roll-out. CAPTION Velile Dube … Truck appointments system is next step