TNPA’s info-sharing system goes live

Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) longawaited Integrated Port Management System (IPMS) will go live at the Port of Durban on June 30. This follows the completion of the test phase that started on March 31 – also in Durban. The Port of Cape Town has been identified as the second port for implementation of the system which has been in the pipeline for just over a year and is aimed at promoting real and effective port integration. The IPMS is a web-based end-to-end integrated system aimed at improving performance, productivity and service offering, which in turn will enhance the competitiveness of TNPA’s ports. FTW earlier this year attended a preview of the new system which will enable all stakeholders across the supply chain beyond the ports authority to share information with each other. According to Phumla Ndawanwe, IPMS project manager for TNPA, the project will make a lot of impact in ensuring that there is transparency in information and that processes are streamlined across the ports. “It will provide an integration platform for interrelated systems within port business,” she told FTW. TNPA also believes that the system will improve service delivery. The IPMS has several capabilities that will allow for this, including automatic berthing allocations, aerial satellite views of the ports, the arrival and departure times of vessels (live and fully updated at all times) as well as real time service delivery statistics. Michael Frans, who heads up business development for the automotive and logistics departments of T-Systems International, earlier this year explained to FTW how these integrated platforms work. T-Systems has worked closely with international ports on such IT solutions. “Through the sharing of data on such a platform coordination between the relevant stakeholders can take place far more efficiently to ensure the delivery of cargo. It also goes a long way in improving communications between stakeholders. All round planning and execution improves due to the availability of information,” he said. These kinds of telematics service solutions allow for standardised interfaces, essentially meaning all stakeholders – the port, its customers and service providers – can input and extract data relevant to individual entities but to the benefit of all. INSERT & CAPTION All round planning and execution improves due to the availability of information. – Michael Frans