The Haifa complex is made up of 7 terminals that each send individual requests for the entry and departure of vessels to the Marine Traffic Services Company. The Israel Ports Company has developed and implemented a new module in the Israel Port Community System (IPSC) which enables the terminals to build and transmit requests based on e-messages from ship agents, helping to overcome challenges relating to operational queue management.
Digitizing the process has also improved transparency by allowing the Marine Traffic Services to build an accurate work order which is distributed to all terminals and clients of the maritime network, including real-time updates of when actions have been executed, from when the pilot boarded the ship to when the request has been carried out. By aligning the electronic exchange of messages between all parties, this new module has helped reduce conflict between the terminals and shipping agents, prevents mistakes in requests, and improved the overall efficiency of the process.
Working online on an integrated database has also enabled the terminals to better predict and plan for the need and use of resources, such as dock space and required crew members, whilst further supporting the shipping agents to prepare for unloading processes or obtaining permits for sailing.
Overall, the project optimizes the complex vessel queue operation and reduces vessel waiting times. Furthermore, by examining the system data, Marine Traffic Services can identify gaps and delays from when the terminal made the request to the actual performance of the operations, It also enables the Marine traffic Services Company to give a better and accurate SLA to the terminals and ship agents.