The announcement last week by Transnet Port Terminals of a real-time cargo tracking app has been trumpeted as a step in the right direction. Allowing real time cargo tracking, it provides a fund of vital information for cargo owners and transporters – including live berth plans and terminal updates for TPT’s national network of 16 terminals. Although little known to port users as yet, only a few days after its official launch by TPT the concept has met with distinct approval in the seafreight trade. The shipping lines, for example, have warmly welcomed this extension to real-time electronic communication of cargo tracking. “It’s very definitely a step in the right direction,” said Peter Besnard, CEO of the SA Association of Ship Operators and Agents (Saasoa). “It provides a lot of valuable information in real time, and TPT should be commended for putting this in place.” Beverley Waugh, CEO of the SA Shippers' Council (SASC) – the primary target for the real-time app – was equally enthusiastic about the concept. “Anything that raises the supply-chain visibility of information is warmly welcomed by cargo owners,” she told FTW. TPT has taken five months to develop this app. And, identified as ‘Transnet TPT’, it is available in both the Google Play store for Android devices and the App Store for devices operating on iOS. Nombuso Afolayan, GM (commercial and planning) at TPT, added that the app would assist traders in “enhancing their planning and proactively making decisions” with the real-time information now at their disposal. She is also happy that this is in-line with modern world developments, and that it will better enable the TPT customer base to track their cargo and terminal operations and developments without physically being on site. Afolayan said: “Until now, customers could only track their cargo movement through their computers using the internet. The app offers instant access and immediate overview of terminal operations.” TPT currently carries cargo in automotive, containers, agricultural and mineral bulk as well as breakbulk cargo. But Afolayan said that it was considering options to diversify further to handle liquid bulk and gas. “The app also offers the possibility of wider use within the Transnet group,” she added. But, while the concept has distinct advantages, it doesn’t forestall criticism of TPT. Said one major container terminal user: “It is great to know where your cargo is electronically. But, although it’s good to know your cargo is on the ground and waiting, it would be better if they (TPT) also loaded our trucks in realtime. Not the 18-24 hours we often have to wait.” INSERT & CAPTION Anything that raises the supplychain visibility of information is warmly welcomed by cargo owners. – Beverley Waugh
