UAB-Online, the leading digital platform in liquid bulk shipping, announces the introduction of a freemium model for deep sea and inland terminals. The freemium model is intended to give operators rapid access to UAB-Online’s Software-as-a-Service platform by eliminating upfront costs or a lengthy decision-making process.

With the freemium model, deep sea and inland terminal stakeholders can rapidly experience firsthand the platform’s benefits, which include making vessel handling operations more efficient, safer, and more sustainable, and ensuring compliance with national and international regulations like the International Safety Guide for Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT6).

“Based on conversations with customers, we realized that the motivation to move to a more digitised process often starts with one person at a terminal who sees the benefits of this change but then needs to influence and convince many different stakeholders,” says Hans Bobeldijk, CEO, UAB-Online. “We introduced the freemium model because we are confident that once an operator starts using our application, everyone will quickly see the value of innovation.”

UAB-Online has tailored its software platform to the particular and varied needs of deep sea and inland terminal workflows.

For deep sea terminals, the free version of the product provides a digital ISGOTT6 workflow, automated pre-arrival announcements, five days of announcement and arrival data and documentation retention, and online training in the platform. Upgrading to one of four priced models provides add-on functionalities including customized pre-arrival announcements, extensive data validation and reuse, vessel position data, API connections, terminal specific documents, and more.

For inland terminals, the free version of the product provides a digital pre-arrival announcement workflow including binding instruments that fulfill legal requirements like ADN and CDNI, five days of announcement and arrival data and documentation retention, and online training in the platform. Upgrading to one of four priced models provides add-on functionalities including the VOW load-discharge documentation, extensive data validation and reuse, digital document exchange and signing, vessel position data, API connections, terminal specific documents, and more.

Operations managers, terminal managers, and process managers have found that the UAB-Online platform streamlines the vessel arrival process significantly by reducing telephone, email, and physical contacts with various entities. One operator commented that before using the UAB platform, “The preparation of the loading and unloading operation cost an unnecessary amount of time and attention. Now I can manage the operation better prepared and with more focus.”

Founded in 2010, UAB-Online is dedicated to significantly improving the lives of all involved in shipping. “Our goal: safe, efficient, and sustainable inland and sea shipping worldwide. We deliver a smart and affordable application, adaptable to the wishes of the specific user, which provides direct benefits in terms of efficiency and safety, and indirectly benefits the entire chain. We guarantee compliance with national and international laws and regulations,” emphasizes Mr Bobeldijk.