The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) has looked landward in its latest digital development, enabling local logistics companies to connect to its port systems.
PSA has developed a batch of application programming interfaces (APIs) that will allow local hauliers to connect their systems to the port’s online portal, Portnet. The move will help streamline and automate companies’ work processes, including port documentation, as well as providing greater transparency of logistics chains from sea to land.
Portnet aims to provide real-time, detailed information on all port, shipping and logistics processes in at the Port of Singapore. More than 100,000 containers have already been handled by haulage companies using APIs launched since 2021. The new tools aim to deliver greater efficiency, reliability, timeliness and transparency in goods movement across supply chains.
PSA worked with several business stakeholders to develop the new tools. Oh Bee Lock, CEO of Singapore Logistics Association, said: “The seaport is the nexus between ships and land-based logistics activities spanning across a wide eco-system of stakeholders. This latest initiative by PSA to enable quick and reliable data connectivity amongst stakeholders will help the logistics industry continue our transformation journey to leverage technology effectively, and build new capabilities to better serve our customers.”
The APIs for hauliers follow significant steps to simplify logistics and improve visibility for ship operators calling at Singapore. In the most recent example, in May PSA announced a memorandum of understanding with CMA CGM to use digital solutions at the joint venture CMA-CGM PSA Lion Terminal. As part of the partnership CMA CGM will use PSA’s Opt-E-Arrive solution.
Opt-E-Arrive is programmed to enable vessels to skip anchorage stops and arrive just-in-time at berth. The solution synchronises transparent real time activities and automates data exchange between the systems of the carrier and port operator. This enables vessels to optimise vessel speed for arrival at berth, cutting emissions associated with anchorage stays and offering visibility to landside stakeholders on real vessel arrival times.
Seow Hwee, PSA’s Head of Cargo Solutions Business, Southeast Asia, said: “Agility is a prerequisite in meeting today’s complex and dynamic nature of logistics management, and PSA recognises the industry’s need for data and information sharing to improve resilience in supply chain systems.”
According to PSA, Portnet already has 10,000 users, with more than 300 million transactions a year relying on the system.
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