Page 13 - Navigator 2021

inbound trips in addition to the already existing digital ordering of outbound and shifting trips constituted a new obligation. Now, most of them see the benefits though. All parties know where they stand at an early stage (see box). Oskam: “Things run more smoothly every month. An agent now knows well in advance whether an incoming voyage can actually proceed according to plan or whether the Harbour Master, tugs or we as pilots require an adjustment. The agent receives this feedback within half an hour after the three-hour deadline for ordering. Based on this information, they can next reliably inform the captain and the terminal.”
PRACTICE-BASED ADJUSTMENTS
As the digital ordering was being implemented over the past year, some practice-based adjustments were made. Oskam: “About 30 per- cent of the inbound ships come from the anchorage area off the coast. Some of them need to come in as soon as possible. Additional agree- ments have been made about this with the shipping agents concerned. The order period remains three hours, but by indicating that you want to enter earlier, the Harbour Master, tugs and we immediately consult to assess the possibilities.”
Another example is streamlining the exchange between an outbound and an inbound vessel at the berth. For an outbound trip, the order time for a pilot is two hours in advance; for an inbound trip, this is three hours. In these kinds of situations, the shipping agent can now also indicate that they would like a ship to be able to enter ahead of the planned three hours. Peekstok: “What’s more, an agent no lon-
ger has to monitor the actual departure of the ship with which the exchange needs to be made. Both in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, all ship notifications, including the ordering of a pilot, are performed via Portbase’s Port Community System. There, an agent can also subscribe to e-mail notifications for an automatic message as soon as a specific ship departs.”
DATA, DATA, DATA
One of the important additional benefits of the new digital approach is the knowledge it yields. About the percentage of ships that are anchored outside prior to calling at the port, for example. “Before, we actually knew nothing. Now, we have real data for making analyses which we can use to continuously make improvements.”
With 84 percent of inbound journeys to Rotterdam now being able to always enter the port according to a tight schedule thanks to digital ordering, Oskam and Peekstok are very satisfied. “It gives us the space to be even more active in managing ships that require special attenti- on, such as anchored vessels, vessels that need to be exchanged, LNG ships and deep-draught vessels.”
We have increased control’
Vertom Agen- cies is one of the larger shipping agents in the Netherlands. “Every month, we handle about 300 ships; some 220 or 230 are bound for the
port of Rotterdam whilst the rest are destined for the ports of Amsterdam and Vlissingen,” explains Com- mercial Manager Marc Scholten. The introduction of the digital ordering of inbound pilotage trips in 2020 constituted a major change for the company. “There is more you need to keep track of. After all, you must have ordered a pilot three hours before the ETA of a ship. In the past, this was not necessary and it seemed as if the process took place automatically. However, more insight into the process is a major advantage.
As an agent, you represent a wide range of different parties, from shipowners to traders, liner services,
etc. You want to do this in the best possible manner and consistently be able to properly inform them. Managing the processes is essential for this. We have increased control. Take the bringing in of ships that are anchored offshore, for example. In the past, we would request a pilot through a third party for this. Now, we can do it ourselves.”
GOOD COORDINATION
When digital ordering commenced in 2020, Vertom Agencies frequently coordinated with the Dutch Mari- time Pilots’ Organisation. “Issues that we encountered in practice were taken seriously and were resolved. As a result, the entire digital ordering process now runs very smoothly.”
MARC SCHOLTEN
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