Efficient Collaboration Platforms for Maritime Ports Also Makes Them More Competitive

The age of Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV) with a capacity of over 19000 TEUs poses special challenges on the infrastructure of existing maritime ports, as well as the underlying IT systems in use to facilitate daily port operations. In order to enhance Business Processes and Performance, IT Solutions need to be in place to meet those challenges.

You can think of a maritime port as really like a small city with numerous stakeholders all working on parts of the main seaport processes.  From the perspective of the cargo handlers this includes; import, export, transshipments, and intermodal operations. For the port operator this also includes; vessel scheduling, maritime operations, berth planning, and security. For the compliance authorities, this includes; customs processing, security filings, and agricultural declarations.  So as you can see a multitude of processes, stakeholders, and information, that is generated daily. Key here is to make this information visible and accessible when and where needed within the port, all with the goal of achieving higher throughput and reducing dwell-time. Below are example processes running on a collaboration platform.

Working closely together with the Hamburg Port Authority, SAP developed the Networked Logistics Hubs (NLH) solution to tackle the immediate need to mitigate the effects of traffic congestion onto the port operations.  In other words how to ensure an efficient and timely flow of containers into and out of the port. Based on the SAP HANA Cloud Platform, the NLH solution provides a network and information hub available to the port operator and it´s direct and indirect business partners.  Sensor data provides real-time visibility and transparency in and around the port and allows to optimize not only the silos, but across the ecosystem. The Hamburg Port Authority began with a pilot phase in which they used their own data, plus data from several carries and parking lot operators. They have been productively using NLH since early 2015, and moving forward, they are adding data from more transport companies and traffic flow. Transport companies are sharing the data, and truckers are using it for optimum routing through the port, scheduling, and for finding parking.  All of the businesses in the Port of Hamburg ecosystem benefit through smarter port logistics and more efficient cargo handling. That makes Port of Hamburg a more attractive port for moving cargo, which makes the Port of Hamburg more competitive.

With new capabilities provided as part of the latest release of this SAP HANA Cloud Platform-based offering, logistics companies are now more equipped than ever to manage inbound, outbound, and internal hub operations.

Find additional details on this offering on SAP Solution Explorer:  https://solutionexplorer.sap.com/solexp/ui/vlm/default/vlm/default-lob-62/default-bpr-259,default-e2e-1128

Check out SAP IOT to learn more about SAP solutions for the Internet of Things http://www.sap.com/iot

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For more information on the Networked Logistics Hubs solution, please see the informational video; Networked Logistics Hubs  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpwE_9Ssu4c

You can access the HPA testimonials here;   HPA Testimonial  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zv46j2WZ3jU    HPA CEO on SAP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGC-HggNNXw

A Forbes article on the topic can be found here; http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevebanker/2016/04/01/the-hamburg-port-authoritys-impressive-iot-project/%237309fa8c3d4c