WESTPORT Malaysia's dynamic and advanced IT infrastructure has enabled it to conduct business with precision and optimum speed.
With the state-of-the-art IT terminal facilities, cutting-edge IT technologies, and outstanding IT support services, what used to be exacting, complicated and multi-faceted operations are now executed with just a click. It is a dream, which has been realized, and Westport today is the first in the world to implement the Smart Card system and the computerized general cargo.
On the national front, it has pioneered the implementation of the control tower concept for port operations complete with remote CCTV and wireless narrow broadband and spread communications links. Within 10 years in operation, Westport has managed to revolutionize the port industry in the region. Vessel Planning Reporting System is an in-house developed, web-based application that is programmed to administer the entire operations involved in vessel planning. To the vessel-planning department, such a system expedites its work plus it can monitor planner's activities and status of vessel operation.
Likewise, the berth-planning system used in Westport is web- based and allows multi-users access to the system anywhere and any time. Some of its features are its ability to incorporate yard blocks in the berth plan to aid planning and allow users to define a time frame of up to seven days to view the berth plan. Its Traffic Control Reporting System, which runs on real time, monitors working vessels.
As an IT-driven port, there is continuous research and study to automate the entire operations of the port.Reputed as the first port in Malaysia to have a fully computerised and automated conventional terminal, the IT team is also in the midst of fully automating the container operation processes. As such, the future IT developments involve Vessel Data Library System, Yard Activities Real-Time and Container Gate Security System.The Vessel Data Library System, which is a digital library that will contain all related information on vessels, will enable users to obtain information such as container capacity, stowage instruction, structure, photos and planners' remarks.
Yard Activities Real-time Monitoring System, one of the systems in the pipeline, enables yard planners to monitor yard activities without having to call the control centre. Another premium of this system is the ability to take action to prevent clashes and simultaneously provide smooth traffic flow in the yard. With the Container Gate Security, which is an enhancement of the existing Smart Card Security System, the system will have barriers installed for all gates at the container gate complex.
In short, Westport has a network system that is resilient, which means a minimal interruption of container and conventional services due to network link or a core switch breakdown and a zero downtime. It has also recently deployed a high-end data centre server, Sun Microsystem Sun Fire 12K to consolidate its multitude of platform into a seamless environment. ASEAPORT, just like an airport, can be highly efficient by making use of state-of-the-art technologies. This is what prompted Westport to make use of technology to revolutionize the port industry in Malaysia.
Singapore used to be the load centre of Malaysia and the transhipment hub of Southeast Asia. The emergence of Westport in 1996 changed that as the new port had the technology, facilities and capacity to reverse the trend of Malaysian cargo moving via Singapore.And thanks to Westport, Port Klang, where Westport is located, became among the busiest international container ports. It ranks as the 11th largest container port in the world.
The NST , 10 September 2004 |
