DP World Antwerp signed an agreement with NxtPort, as first terminal operator committing to make all its data available on the platform. This means information related to containers that are handled at the terminal such as gate in, gate out, loading and unloading can be retrieved through API’s.
We already wrote earlier, that the Port of Antwerp actively develops various projects to create smart management of the supply chain. NxtPort is one of them. It is a data-sharing platform which is being developed by some leading maritime and logistics companies and industry associations from the Antwerp port community. It aims to connect all the main assets in the port of Antwerp in real time, offering end-to-end integration with the private port companies in an open ecosystem.
CEO of DP World Antwerp, Rob Harrison, was one of the earliest believers of NxtPort and now takes a major step in making the platform even more relevant within the port community: “Innovation is central to the business strategy of DP World Antwerp. With this initiative, we want to take the lead in further developing NxtPort and stimulating the development of new software applications that integrate with our terminals.”
In addition to providing its own information, DP World Antwerp, together with NxtPort, hopes to make further innovations that will improve and expand the exchange of data in the supply chain. Patrick Putman, CIO & Innovation Officer at DP World Antwerp, works closely with Hans Verbeeck, CTO and Erwin Hoefkens, CCO at NxtPort, on the elaboration of a number of cases and applications.
Over the past year, NxtPort has developed various applications making the data exchange within the logistics chain more efficient and easier. One of them is the Import Consignment Data API, which is designed to exchange import cargo manifests that are submitted to customs. Through this application the freight data is shared digitally and error-free among various parties involved in shipping, thus saving time and ensuring uniformity of the messages. According to the recent notice of NxtPort, four shipping agents – Yang Ming Lines, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Boeckmans Belgium and Ilomar NV – are already using this innovation and five top ones (Maersk Line, CMA CGM, MSC Belgium, ONE and Hapag-Lloyd) are in the implementation phase.