The operator is working on several 5G projects
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) has invested more than PhP900M (US$20M) in IT for its flagship Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) in the last 10 years.
The operator partnered with PLDT last year for the roll out of 5G at the terminal, currently utilising the technology to automatically weigh containers using spreader load cells in rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes.
Having this feature helps shorten truck drivers’ stay at the port as they no longer need to queue to use the terminal’s weigh bridges.
Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI executive vice president, said: “The hefty investments in technology are meant to crisis-proof the terminal, safeguard shipments and system processes, maximise the efficiency of its operations and maintain ICTSI’s world-class brand of customer service.”
Other 5G-integrated projects in the pipeline include truck driver messaging, remote safety monitoring using intelligent surveillance systems and remote crane monitoring using Internet of Things devices and sensors – aiming to improve the safety and efficiency of port operations while reducing foot traffic inside the terminal.
Currently, the terminal is working on the TABS Manifesting System, which automatically captures container data and truck plate numbers during the booking process.
Once the system is deployed, drivers no longer have to input anything in the terminal kiosks upon their arrival.
This follows on from the implementation for the Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) in 2015 to facilitate the seamless flow of cargo in and out of the port.
A new app is under development, designed to give port users access to several services like Track & Trace across multiple ICTSI terminals, online payment and eventually TABS booking.
It will also include features like GPS location and ETA, geofenced gate-in and yard locations for drivers.
With the goal of improving its enterprise resource planning system, ICTSI recently tapped Rimini Street – a third-party support provider for Oracle and SAP – to provide support for business-critical functions including financials, treasury, asset tracking and equipment maintenance and repair.
Launched in 2017, the terminal’s online payment system had a 30% adpoption rate prior to the pandemic but this jumped to 100% as customers looked to process transactions without physically going to the port.
A similar payment system is also currently being developed for NorthPort, Subic Bay International Terminals and Mindanao Container Terminal. The system is scheduled for launch within the year.
Aside from launching an online payment system, the MICT is gearing up to launch its online examination viewing portal pending approval from the Philippine Department of Agriculture.
The portal will enable brokers to observe the Bureau of Customs’ examination of containers without being physically present at the terminal.
For transactions that require a visit to the port like container returns and pull-outs, the facility has systems in place to limit face-to-face interactions.
The terminal gates are automated and have been unmanned since 2015. Instead, optical character recognition (OCR), license plate recognition and radio frequency identification technologies facilitate the seamless entry and exit of trucks.
