Gulftainer, a privately owned United Arab Emirates port operator, has successfully implemented the Marine and Container Handling (MACH) terminal operating system (TOS), writes TradeArabia.
The new TOS will be rolled out across Gulftainer terminals in the UAE in a phased manner in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), an IT services, digital and business solutions company, part of Indian Tata group.
The first full implementation of MACH TOS, marking a major technology upgrade for the company, took place at Gulftainer’s home Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT), a 750,000 TEU facility. Almost 1,000 employees and customers received specialized end-user training.
Gulftainer expects the new TOS will significantly enhance its operating processes and customer service function through optimising job orders, vehicle routing processes for container pick-up and delivery as well as the management of empty travel distances within the terminal. The resulting efficiency of key operational processes will allow Gulftainer to boost terminal productivity, improve service quality, enabling the company to identify and solve problems before they occur.
Steve Ogden, group port operations director at Gulftainer, said: “With the TOS at the heart of terminal operations across the board, MACH will play a crucial role in boosting our overall performance. Most importantly, container ships arriving at our ports will benefit from the considerable reduction in waiting times that comes with synchronised operations. We look forward to the roll-out of MACH at our Khorfakkan Container Terminal (KCT), where Super-User training is currently underway.”
Flemming Dalgaard, CEO of Gulftainer, commented on the implementation: “I am delighted with the achievements of the entire team at SCT. With the implementation of MACH TOS, Gulftainer reiterates its continued commitment to improving its operational systems and enhancing customer experience. This step is a key milestone in our information technology transformation strategy.”
K Raghunathan, head of the Ports and Cargo Business at TCS India, said: “TCS has significant experience working with port operators around the world to roll out this type of product and I am delighted to confirm that the MACH roll out at the Sharjah Container Terminal (SCT) has been the most successful implementation of any we’ve facilitated globally. We are very excited to continue our partnership on this journey of innovation and digital transformation.”
