Press Release: PortXchange Products B.V., the Netherlands-based digital solutions provider for predictable and sustainable shipping, has today agreed a five-year partnership with Greater Houston Port Bureau (“GHPB” or “Port Bureau”) for the adoption and further development of its proprietary PortXchange system, a collaborative vessel and terminal planning platform.
In June 2020, PortXchange and the Port Bureau announced the first U.S. trial in Houston with more than 20 maritime companies involved in the Texas integrated chemical cluster. This trial was subsequently expanded to include the Port of Houston Authority (“Port Houston”), which has 2 separate terminals dedicated to the handling of cargo containers.
The shipping industry is coming under increased scrutiny to implement digitalization to improve port turnaround efficiencies, reduce overall expenses and mitigate climate impact. The PortXchange software is considered the best product to cater to the specific needs of the whole port community.
The agreement between PortXchange and the Port Bureau is a five-year reseller partnership and comes after a 12-month trial period. PortXchange will fully integrate the Port Bureau’s current HarborLights Vessel Tracking System into PortXchange platform, providing real-time vessel scheduling information sourced directly from the Houston Pilots. PortXchange will also continue to build several features with bespoke functionality to fit the specific needs of the Houston port community, maintain the digital infrastructure, onboard new users and facilitate APIs. Most of these new products and services will be provided through the Port Bureau, which will act as the voice of the port community.
Founded in 1929, the Port Bureau is a member driven, non-profit trade organization dedicated to promoting commerce and cooperation in the maritime industry. The Port Bureau operates the Maritime Exchange of Texas maintaining critical vessel movement data for the deep draft ports of Texas, including the busiest port in the U.S.
Sjoerd de Jager, PortXchange’s managing director, said: “This five-year engagement is a result of the perseverance and commitment of a large group of like-minded participants keen to decrease port turnaround time and increase efficiency of port calls. Foremost is the Port Bureau, which embraced the idea that digitalization and scheduling transparency is the future of any port and we look forward to extending our collaboration in the Houston port community.”
CAPT Bill Diehl, USCG (Ret.), president of the Greater Houston Port Bureau, said: “Digitization and data are key for the port of Houston region to increase predictability, improve efficiency, and remain globally competitive. We often refer to our Port Bureau members as competitive partners because they work together to solve problems that affect the entire port, not just their own businesses. By partnering with PortXchange to offer data sharing platforms tailored to the unique needs of the port of Houston region, we are giving our industry members another tool for collaboration.”
Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston said: “I am always encouraged when our port community continuously seeks to secure resources and services for the greater good of the Houston Ship Channel. I am optimistic that this program will help further enhance and build on the efficiency of vessels calling the Port of Houston”
About PortXchange
PortXchange is a spin-off from The Port of Rotterdam Authority. Established in 2019 as an independent organisation, PortXchange provides trade-agnostic, digital solutions to optimize operations and reduce emissions from the shipping industry. After being implemented in Rotterdam, PortXchange is expanding to other ports such as Felixstowe, Moerdijk, Algeciras and Houston. Trusted by industry leaders worldwide to optimize over 100,000 port calls.
For more information about PortXchange, please visit: https://port-xchange.com
For more information about Shiptracker, please visit: https://shiptracker.port-xchange.com/
About The Greater Houston Port Bureau (GHPB)
Founded in 1929 in Houston, the Greater Houston Port Bureau is a 240+ member driven, non-profit trade organization dedicated to promoting commerce and cooperation in the nation’s largest port for foreign waterborne tonnage and the largest petrochemical complex in the U.S. With a focus on maritime industry priorities such as port efficiency and maritime security, we offer stakeholders advocacy, collaboration opportunities, data, education, and business networking through luncheons, seminars, publications, and special events. The Port Bureau also operates as the Marine Exchange of Texas, providing members with vessel movement reports, port information, and data for Texas deepdraft ports. For more information, visit the website at www.txgulf.org.
About Port Houston
For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel, including the area’s largest breakbulk facility and two of the most efficient and fastest-growing container terminals in the country. Port Houston is the advocate and a strategic leader for the Channel. The Houston Ship Channel complex and its more than 200 public and private terminals, collectively known as the Port of Houston, is the nation’s largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S. The Port of Houston supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas – 20.6 percent of Texas’ total gross domestic product (GDP) – and $801.9 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website at www.PortHouston.com.
