Richards Bay port set for smarter centre

RICHARDS Bay is getting ready to become a ‘smartport’ after Durban was the first to launch Transnet’s new web-based integrated port management system (IPMS) on 26 July.

According to the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), the Port of Richards Bay will go live with the cutting edge maritime operations and logistics software in November.

Once installed at all ports nationwide next year, to the cost of R79-million, the system will allow the TNPA to run a ‘tighter ship’ by screening all port activities from top to bottom on the supply chain in real-time.

IPMS measures terminal delays, berth occupancy, truck turnaround times, availability of marine pilots and tugs as well as ship departing times for controllers to minimise interruptions and delays.

When the news first broke in 2013 of plans for the IPMS centres, TNPA Ports Operations Manager Julia Ramitshana explained it will ensure every SA port runs at peak efficiency levels.

‘It will assist in macro planning, execution and monitoring of TNPA operations’ daily plans; reports on safety and security incidents and the management of deviations – both planned and unplanned,’ said Ramitshana.

The Ports of Durban and Richards Bay and the Head Office cluster were planned to be the first to become fully operational in South Africa.

Once port operations centres are launched nationwide, they will all be linked for monitoring by the port authority as well as customers.

‘The facility will enable availability of local and national information close to real time around the clock,’ said Ramitshana.

‘It will become a single point of reference to all port users; drive overall efficiencies and reliability of the transport logistics chain and proactively monitor the productivity of facilities and resources.

‘It will also timeously provide information to our relevant stakeholders to resolve deviations and solve operational problems.’