The global software and shipping supplier Weilbach has partnered up with Intelligent Cargo Systems to be able to offer shipping companies a full portfolio of digital products to optimize performance. With this new partnership, Weilbach is adding port call optimization to their portfolio.

“The partnership fills a gap and enables us to offer shipping companies a full portfolio of digital products to optimize their performance from cradle to grave. Until now, we have been able to support shipping companies in getting vessels quickly from A to B and with the CargoMate system from Intelligent Cargo Systems, we  cover the whole journey including port calls,” says Martin Mikkelsen, Director of Business Development, Weilbach.

An extra bunker cost

Port call optimization is an area that shipping companies are not focusing on, explains CEO Chris Jones from Intelligent Cargo Systems:

“This is a new area of shipping that is almost a black hole because shipping companies do not think about what actually happens when they are in port. But by using real time data that shows productivity in the port it is possible to predict more accurately whether the port operations are early, on time, or delayed and consequently maintain schedule.”

Case study on route performance

Weilbach’s partnership with Intelligent Cargo Systems means that shipping companies can participate in workshops on how to save money on port call optimization by cutting costs on fuel and at the same time reduce emission of CO2.

“We made a case study based on the route performance of a major carrier operating an Asia – Europe route of ultra-large container vessels. It showed us that 45 per cent of port calls were completed late. The statistics covered a two-month period in the Autumn 2020 and resulted in an extra bunker cost of approximately $250,000. Over a 12-month period this would cost the company more than $1.5M on this route alone to maintain schedule,” Chris Jones says and continues:

“By participating in a workshop, shipping companies can work together with us to look at areas where digital products may help them to optimize performance and avoid extra bunker costs.” 

No crew training

The CargoMate system is the only system in the world that neutrally records berth performance and allows shipping companies to compare reported performance from the terminal against observed performance from the ship. Moreover, the system is easy to use and does not require crew training.