Westports e-Terminal …truly electronic

Being Information Technology (IT) savvy is a way of life for any organization. As IT plays an integral and ubiquitous role in today's business, Westports Malaysia, the nation's premier port located at Port Klang, has enhanced its' e-Terminal by going truly electronic. It represents Westports ongoing efforts in setting industry and world-class standards for the development and deployment of service-enhancing technology.

The e-Terminal comprise of ten systems and services that provide optimum efficiency, faster turnaround and higher productivity. The port's e-Terminal now comprises of EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), e-Berthing, e-Submit, e-SSR, e-Loading, e-Deliver Order, e-Gate Pass, e-TDR, e-Billing, e-Procure and e-Bidding. These systems and services are mostly developed in-house to offer customers a solution that is based on time efficient, cost reduction, and hassle free-environment. Additionally, Westports wants to remain competitive and gain customer satisfaction and loyalty by leveraging on its edge in technology so as to set itself apart as the region's cyberport.

"When we built the port, we had the future in mind. Previously, the arrival of a ship meant endless paper work, all of which had to be processed manually. This left a lot of errors, confusion and sometimes frustration. Today, at Westports, customers can experience the most advanced technology, which integrates terminal activities, providing enhanced performance and a high quality of service.

"Westports is a rapid adopter of new technologies as it recognizes that technology investments differentiate it from our competitors and provide the foundation for growth. At Westports, we are continuously looking into delivering new and improved ways of customer services and contributing to the overall competitiveness of Malaysia's transport and logistics industry", said Mr. Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, Westports Executive Director.

EDI is defined as the exchange of documents in standardized electronic form, between organizations, in an automated manner, directly from a computer application in one organization to an application in another. EDI's saves unnecessary re-capture of data. This leads to faster transfer of data, far fewer errors, less time wasted on exception-handling, and hence a more stream-lined business process. Since the beginning, Westports had adopted UN/EDIFACT (United Nations Directories for Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport) as the standard for EDI.

Through e-Berthing, shipping lines can view the real time and planned vessel-berthing status. With the transparency of enquiry of berthing, shipping lines can pre-plan their berth allocation with Westports.

An alternative to EDI, e-Submit allows for the submission of discharge and loading list electronically via the Internet. Due to the disparate formats, instead of standardizing and for shipping lines' convenience, e-Submit has a robust data-mapping engine that can be used to map any formats. Upon submission, extensive verifications and validations are done upfront and automatically, which enables for corrections of any discrepancies instantly.

e-Special Service Request (e-SSR) will provides shipping lines to manage changes to submitted information on-line therefore maintaining integrity and traceability of the changes as well as reducing the time taken for paper based SSR submission.

Our integrated container terminal operating system simplifies and eliminates the submission of loading list through the e-Loading process by automatically creating the loading list with the consensus of shipping lines. With the elimination of the submission process, vessel planning and yard planning can commence planning well in advance, thus leading to better efficiency and productive resource allocation.

In line with Westports' strategic objectives to create a simplified and paperless environment, the introduction of e-Delivery Order (e-DO) for import which enables the on-line issuance by shipping lines thus replacing the traditional paper Delivery Order (DO) and information is updated directly into the terminal's back-end system. Seamlessly integrated to Custom's Gate Control System (GCS), upon release and clearance from custom and other government agencies, the terminal release document (e-Gate Pass) will be distributed to the consignee and subsequently to the haulage company for container pickup from the terminal. Besides saving time, this streamlined and seamless process requires no paper DO, nor the presence of the forwarding agent at Westports.

e-Terminal Departure Report (e-TDR) is available for shipping lines to view and download upon vessel departure. This report, prepared from timesheets, comprises container vessel operation data and tabulation of productivity. Besides the quick dissemination of e-TDR, it is centralized repository for the computerized collection, organization, and retrieval of TDRs.

e-Billing enables customers to access their invoices, credit notes, payments and statement of accounts anywhere and anytime. It is designed and innovated in house to cater for the port's customers with the purpose to streamlining and improving the billing services.

e-Procure is an electronic enablement of purchasing process, whereby every step of the process from identification of requirement to payment can be done electronically. Westports' e-Procure proves to be a solution for improved administration efficiency, reduction in costs and greater transparency. It has also given the port an electronic business-to-business platform for a speedier and reliable transaction.

The e-Bidding conducts bidding over the Internet in accordance with the government procurement procedures. The entire process from bids to acceptance is conducted over the Internet.

Container System from COSMOS , Belgium

The Container System utilises the latest IT applications, all of which are fully integrated to facilitate faster container movement and smooth running of Westport's Container Terminal. This system not only allows for real-time processing but also ensures automated tracking and assignment of equipment and manpower. The Container System comprises the following :

Conventional Cargo System (NGCCS )

Westport is the first port in Malaysia to have a fully computerized and automated conventional terminal. Its New Generation Conventional Cargo System (NGCCS) Is completely developed in-house and covers the full automation of all non-containerised cargo, right from wharf operations to billing. Westport's NGCCS ensures speedier and more efficient control of vessel, cargo and godown managemnt for the benefit of its customers.

Financial System

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

Westport Distripark Management System

Westport Control Centre

The Westport Control Centre (WCC) is where ship planning and control, marketing and port statistics are rooted in. WCC provides round-the-clock service for Westport's only single-data entries which reduces time spent on documentation and queuing at port.

SCSS (Smart Card Security System) & WSCS (Westport Smart Card System)

The introduction of the Westport smart card system have brought Westport as a leading exponent in integrating Technology with Port Operation. The Westport Smart Security System (SCSS) would be first of its kind in this region and its introduction shows our goal in reaching our vision of being a port designed as port of the future and IT driven.

With the use of SCSS and WSCS a whole new technology savvy culture is being introduce to Westport Malaysia. From a truck driver to forwarding agent, from MIS manager to a tea lady (for WSCS), smart card would be a norm in their life and directly contributing to achieving a pure IT PORT status.