May Commerce Club Luncheon Featuring a Port Efficiency Panel Discussion
Chaos to Clarity: Digitizing Pre-Arrival Communications to Unlock Port Efficiency
A panel of industry experts explored the benefits of digitizing pre-arrival information to improve coordination between terminals and vessels at the Port Bureau’s Commerce Club luncheon on May 14.
With Lance Nunez of Dow Inc. serving as moderator, panelists included Darren Shelton of Moran Shipping Agencies, Capt. Peter Kontush of Stolt Tankers, and Shri Sarathy of LBC Tank Terminals.
A central theme to the discussion was reducing port turnaround time by improving coordination before the vessel arrives. “Pre-arrival is the exchange of key information between terminal carrier, agent, and surveyors before the vessel arrives at the terminal,” explained Nunez.
Traditional pre-arrival processes rely on a variety of communication channels that create duplicated work and communication gaps. Panelists highlighted how digital pre-arrival platforms centralize cargo, scheduling, and documentation information, generating simplified, secure communication and documentation.
While relatively new to the Houston port region, digital pre-arrival platforms have been extensively implemented in Europe and Asia. Recently, some Houston terminals, like LBC Tank Terminals, have adopted the technology and have already seen reduced ship-shore exchange times by 30-90 minutes. Panelists emphasized that the small-time savings are effective in reducing costs and increasing terminal vessel turnaround.
“You save enough little 30-minute chunks, you've got 24 hours or 36 hours, which is enough time for many terminals to get another vessel to the berth,” said Darren Shelton.
In wrapping up the session, Nunez, who also chairs the Port Bureau’s Efficiency Committee, noted the committee has written documentation for the berth optimization process, including a standardized pre-arrival data set with common fields and terminology, encouraged stakeholders to be a part of the effort to shape efficiency and digitalization in the Houston port region.
The May Commerce Club also included an opportunity to meet with digital solution vendors, giving attendees the opportunity to learn about available tools and engage directly with providers in the pre-arrival system space.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Annual Sponsors:
Buffalo Marine Service, Inc. • Callan Marine • Chevron/Kirby • Energy Transfer • Enterprise Products Partners • Kinder Morgan • Houston Pilots • Intercontinental Terminals Company • Moran Shipping Agencies, Inc. • PEMEX Deer Park • Port Houston • Targa Resources • TGS Cedar Port Industrial Park • Vopak • WGMA