Bulk Distributor Nov/Dec19

B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR www.bulk-distributor.com November/December 2019 Est. 1990 Your single information source for bulk and semi-bulk logistics Tank Containers • Flexitanks • IBCs • Drums • FIBCs • Bulk Liners • Road Tankers • Loading/Bagging • Bulk Logistics • Cleaning & Repair Depots • Components Hoyer, Bertschi, DH in supply chain initiative A new workgroup launched by the European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA) aims to improve supply chain visibility within bulk liquid flows. The workgroup, a shared initiative between Hoyer, Bertschi and Den Hartogh, is looking to develop an ECTA transport data and message definition framework to improve ‘end to end’ supply chain visibility and collaboration across the chemical logistics bulk liquid sector. The initial focus of the workgroup is on providing reliable and continuously updated information on estimated time of arrival (ETA) and the communication of transport milestone messages, thereby avoiding the unnecessary exchange of huge amounts of raw data and differences in the interpretation of the ETA. To enhance this, common standards between different suppliers will be recognised and refined, in order to improve the transparency of the bulk liquids supply chain. The overall scope of the initiative is not limited to IN THIS ISSUE Rail & Intermodal 2 Containers 4 Cleaning & Repair 8 Components 12 standardisation in transport messages, as it also aims to look further into other areas in the logistics process where standardisation would lead to higher efficiency. Hoyer, Bertschi and Den Hartogh started this initiative as they believe in standardisation to optimise the supply chain. The three parties believe that this is an important step towards further efficiency. Flexitanks 14 www.ecta.com Tank containers Industrial Packaging 16 Logistics 18 Ports & Storage 19 FEATURES IN THE NEXT ISSUE Components Software & asset management Cleaning & repair depots To advertise or contribute please email [email protected] or [email protected] Rotterdam launches track & trace app P ort of Rotterdam Authority is the latest port to launch its own track & trace application. ‘Boxinsider’ allows shippers and freight forwarders to see where their containers are located at any given moment. Not only is this more reliable than the approach used until now, it is also more user- friendly and efficient than collecting information from various sources. “When I order a book online, I can almost follow the package live,” explained CEO Allard Castelein. “With Boxinsider, we are now presenting a similar solution for containers. By developing digital applications, we are making our port even more efficient, safer and more reliable. Solutions like Boxinsider are good examples of this transition and so they are a perfect match with our ambition to be the world’s Smartest Port.” Most shippers, freight forwarders and other users still collect information manually from a range of websites about where their containers are located, which is both time consuming and error- prone. It can also cause planning errors and have costly consequences. Drawing on status information from container vessels and inland and deep-sea terminals, Boxinsider can track containers, and determine expected and actual arrival and departure times for vessels, as well as container unloading and departures at terminals. Users can then be warned about any delays or disruptions. ABC Logistics from Poeldijk is one of the launch customers and it has seen the benefits of the system. “Boxinsider gives us - quickly and with minimal effort - a clear picture of the containers that we can expect at the various Rotterdam terminals,” said account manager Remco Verwaal. “It really is a very user-friendly application.” Boxinsider works as a stand-alone application but it can also be integrated with existing systems using a link. ‘Boxinsider’ allows shippers and forwarders to see where their containers are at any given moment.