Two maritime innovators, UAB-Online and Systems Navigator, announce a collaboration to optimise and streamline operations in the liquid bulk industry. UAB-Online offers a software solution that enables stakeholders in sea and inland shipping to digitise their handling operations, while Systems Navigator’s Dropboard offers a planning and scheduling system for ports and liquid bulk terminals. By collaborating, the two companies are enhancing the entire liquid bulk process by providing integrated data that enables each stakeholder to make decisions based on real-time information.

Says Hans Bobeldijk, CEO of UAB-Online: “This collaboration will help cut costs and emissions in liquid bulk operations by enabling digitisation of the major parts of the process—from digital pre-announcements that our solution creates to real-time jetty schedule info that Dropboard’s online data provides.”

Says Vincent de Gast, co-founder and director of Dropboard: “By leveraging Dropboard’s cutting-edge scheduling technology and embracing UAB-Online as the preferred tool for managing liquid bulk nominations, this collaboration is poised to revolutionise the industry. The result will be a more cohesive, integrated, and secure system, enhancing overall efficiency. Real-time communication will keep all stakeholders well-informed, reducing the need for frequent phone calls and empowering them to optimise their business opportunities.”

Each of these two innovative companies is already contributing to optimised liquid bulk operations. UAB-Online solves operational challenges in several ways, including: safety—more than 400 repetitive checks are built into the software solution, resulting in 76% fewer mistakes and increased compliance with laws and regulation; efficiency—digitising reduces port stays by up to 90 minutes and involves less email and fewer time-consuming phone calls; and sustainability—reduced idle time in port means reduced CO2 and NoX emissions and less paper waste.

Dropboard is an integrated, real-time, web based, multi-user planning and scheduling platform designed to assist planners in the port industry with daily and future planning. Dropboard’s machine-learning algorithms support planners in providing up-to-date information to stakeholders within the supply chain, creating opportunities for ship speed optimisations. Dropboard also uses constraints-based scheduling logic and intelligent free slot finding to determine the best jetty allocation. Dropboard utilises a proprietary optimization model, powered by Google’s AI software suite designed to empower terminal operators in the reduction of demurrage costs, waiting times, and ship turnaround times. This cutting-edge technology streamlines operations and enhances efficiency.

The companies share a commitment to using state-of-the-art technology to transform the maritime liquid bulk industry and create a more efficient process. “This collaboration provides a transformative solution for organisations that need future-proof technologies to help with the twin green & digital transitions that the maritime industry is undertaking as we move towards a carbon-neutral shipping industry in 2050,” says Mr. Bobeldijk. “The green transition is about improving environmental impact and the digital transition is aimed at improving efficiency. This collaboration helps with both transitions.”