Automated truck access to empty container parks delivers “impressive” productivity benefits, the Hon. Melissa Horne, Victoria’s Ports & Freight Minister, told guests at the recent Shipping Australia Victoria State Committee Luncheon. Minister Horne was referring to the results of a study into the empty container supply chain and paperless truck access.
The study revealed that moving from low to highly-automated access boosts peak turnaround time by 17.7 minutes while empty container parks with “high” automation served more than double the number of trucks per hour when compared to low automation parks.
Analysis in the study also revealed that transitioning from a low automation category to a medium or high automation category could result in an average TTT reduction of 6.15 minutes, which would translate to an operating cost saving of approximately $13.53 per truck, or an annual operating cost saving of approximately $5.75 million for the Victorian container transport industry as a whole.
Minister Horne noted that there are many complex issues relating to empty container parks including, but not limited to, queuing, futile trips, transport operators ignoring time slots, drivers getting out of vehicles and paperwork, she added that she has asked Freight Victoria to develop performance indicators for empty container parks. Minister Horne added that she wants Freight Victoria to collaborate further with park operators on measures to boost productivity for Freight Victoria to look at slot availability, redirections, futile [truck] trips, along with system and process improvements.
The Empty Container Park study noted that there are several “quick wins” that could boost productivity.
“Truck drivers play an important role in improving efficiency. For example, following ECP processes and protocols is important: Following notification/booking practices; Arriving at the time of booked timeslots; Being responsive to instructions from ECP staff (e.g., moving to an appropriate area to wait if there are issues with the notification slot booking). Consistently ‘following the rules’ set by ECPs helps speed up the flow of vehicles for all customers and avoids unnecessary congestion,” the report says on page 24.
The report also frequently highlighted the importance of the provision of information by shipping lines by electronic data exchange.
Exchange of electronic data has been a critical enabler for these solutions. Around 90% of the delivery orders at the Port of Fremantle from shipping lines are communicated electronically, contrasting with levels of 70-75% at the Port of Melbourne. Provision of electronic data would provide a variety of benefits to range of parties and would help industry in managing redirections and reducing the prevalence of futile truck trips.
The Shipping Australia Victoria State Committee Luncheon held at the end of August 2023 was generously sponsored by Victoria International Container Terminal. Shipping Australia thanks the company for its kind support.
Download the study:
Empty Container Park Trial Moving towards paperless and contactless truck arrival at Melbourne’s empty container parks, August 2023
