More efficient logistics process
The new Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) will be responsible for the shipping guidance of seagoing and inland vessels behind the locks. To ensure safe and efficient traffic flow, VTS provides information and advice, for example relating to routes, weather conditions and potential risks, to all water-related traffic participants behind the locks.
In addition to the logistics process, Port of Antwerp is committed to transparency and the optimization of shipping planning. It is, therefore, adding a new team of Port Planners, to take care of the safe, efficient planning and processing of mooring bays. All parties involved, such as the port, port facilities, and port users, are to be taken into account as much as possible.
Mobile teams and hybrid vessels for a safer port
New, mobile functions are being created to improve supervision and management. Under the leadership of a Port Authority Supervisor, Port Authority Officers will soon be responsible for specific control tasks within the framework of supervision and enforcement in the port area. The team is active on the water and on land. In the event of an incident, they are responsible, along with the emergency services workers, for its safe handling. This contributes to a safe port area and surroundings. The Supervisors and Officers will also have new hybrid patrol vessels at their disposal in the future.
Digital tools
Port of Antwerp is deploying several new digital tools to make it’s port management and service provision more efficient. It is developing several new applications for this purpose, which are connected to the port information system APICS (Antwerp Port Information and Control System). These tools will be launched over the coming months:
- An inland navigation application that allows skippers to give their electronic advance notice, request lockage, consult the available berths in real time and register their (de-)mooring movements;
- An application that allows terminals to enter and modify the planning for seagoing vessels.
Finally, Port of Antwerp is also participating in a number of external projects aimed at supporting the digitization of inland navigation. One example is the compensation of towage companies equipping their barges with GPS trackers.
Source: Port of Antwerp
