Headaches generated by severe container traffic at the Port of Manila are expected to fade soon as the truck booking system goes on a soft-launch this month in preparation for its full implementation in October.
The Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) was soft-launched in Manila on September 2 among select users and will officially go live in October, according to its system provider 1-Stop Connections Pty Ltd.
In a statement, Australia-based 1-Stop said the soft-launch includes making timeslot bookings with either Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) or Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) for trucks to pick up or drop off containers at the port, and providing real-time information to users on container status.
The soft-launch comes ahead of the expected surge in economic activity in Manila from September when shipments increase in preparation for the holiday season, 1-Stop noted.
A system based on 1-Stop’s Vehicle Booking System (VBS), TABS is a collaborative solution by the government and supply chain stakeholders “in response to the truck ban and road policies that were introduced by the local government in 2014 to combat the congestion in Manila,” according to 1-Stop.
“TABS is a proactive alternative to counterproductive truck bans and benefits the entire port community by eliminating spontaneous truck arrivals so that drivers will be serviced more efficiently,” 1-Stop noted.
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.” Also, with the predictable volume and schedule afforded by the new system, terminal operators can optimally manage their port capacity and plan for appropriate resources.
“In Australia, despite a 25% volume increase over six years, ports with 1-Stop’s booking solution have seen improvements in landside performance without the need to invest in more infrastructure,” 1-Stop said.
Moreover, 1-Stop said the Manila port community should soon start to see more organized truck movements and experience a well-managed and consistent flow of trucks spread across the entire day.
In May 2015, MICT and ATI chose 1-Stop to provide the system for TABS. Michael Bouari, 1-Stop chief executive officer, said the booking solution was designed to combat types of surges such as during peak seasons.
Bouari said TABS is built on a core of configurations that can be applied to any terminal to eliminate port congestion. It is also designed to enable ports to grow and mature as they move from manual to automated processes.
“I look forward to seeing the positive contribution that TABS will make to the Philippine economy,” Bouari said.
He added that “with a time frame of three months and the peak season in sight, it takes a very high level of co-operation and participation to keep the project running smoothly and on track.”
“My confidence in delivering this project successfully in the Philippines is attributed to being able to work with the best people at 1-Stop, MICT and ATI,” Bouari said.
For his part, MICT general manager Mohamed Ghandar said, “With a booming economy and the ongoing major infrastructure projects in the metropolis comes the issue of road capacity.”
He explained that “movement of trade in the Port of Manila, specifically that of container handling trucks, has to co-exist with the movement of the commuting public.” TABS, Ghandar said, is the port sector’s contribution to easing road congestion in the Philippine capital “by implementing a system that will schedule movements of trucks in and out of the Port.”
Image courtesy of Sailom at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
