IPMS transforming SA Ports into 'smartPORTS'

At the launch of Transnet National Ports Authority’s new Integrated Port Management System (IPMS) at the Durban ICC on 28 July were TNPA representatives (left to right): Moshe Motlohi, Port Manager: Port of Durban; David Goliath, Senior Manager, Port Operations, Port of Ngqura; Mmutle Lentle, Chief Information Officer; Phumla Ndwandwe, Project Manager; Captain Rufus Lekala, Chief Harbour Master; with Kevin Paul, MD of Nambiti Technologies and Kiran Kolli, Director of Navayuga InfoTech, India.

Developed by Navayuga Infotech, a company based in India, in collaboration with their South African partner Nambiti Technologies, the IPMS is a strategic project that aims to support the broader objectives of the Transnet Market Demand Strategy (MDS) in terms of efficiency and productivity. The project will cost TNPA around R79 million for the entire system, for all eight South African ports, covering concept development, architecture, implementation and rollout.

The system will transform our ocean gateways

TNPA chief executive, Richard Vallihu, said: "Since 2008, various feasibility studies were undertaken where we identified the need for an automated and web-based system to improve port operations, strengthen efficiencies and enhance competitiveness. This online system will help transform our ocean gateways into smartPORTs by using advanced information technology that will make them more intelligent and sustainable while conserving resources, time, space and energy." The system replaces manual processes, with key port operations now set to be automated, online and in real time.

Vallihu said the IPMS was benchmarked against Malaysian and Singaporean ports which were among the world's most efficient. The IPMS system will be a groundbreaking initiative in that for the first time in the world a system such as this is integrated across multiple ports on a single platform. "For us as a customer-focused organisation, this state-of-the-art information technology will ensure that port information and processes are transparent and easily accessible to users throughout the South African port logistics chain," he said.

Saving time and money

Yugen Reddy of Sharaf Shipping Agency was excited about being able to work more efficiently. "My role as an agent is to make sure that ships are in and out of the port as quick as possible because time is money. With IPMS we will be able to use our smartphones or tablets while we're out and about to update the system and get acknowledgment from TNPA on the spot with regards to sailing or berthing of vessels," he said.

Vessel agent, Londa Small of Thembani Shipping agreed. "I am optimistic about the IPMS system because everything's going to be in real-time enabling quicker turnaround," he said.

Inegration with other management systems

IPMS will link to Transnet Freight Rail's Integrated Train Plan (ITP) and Train Execution Management System (TEMS). It is also integrated with global systems such as Lloyds Register, AIS (for vessel traffic management), IPOSS (for weather), EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) and SAP (for business operations, customer relations and finance).

From Durban the project team will move on to Cape Town and Saldanha, then Port Elizabeth, Ngqura and East London and finally to Richards Bay and Mossel Bay. TNPA conducted daily intensive training for internal and external users at the Maritime School of Excellence in Durban during June.