User and Use Cases
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- Rail/RU
- Authorities
- Inland port terminal
- Inland waterway skipper
- Carrier
- EIU
- Empty container depot
- Operator
- Forwarder
- Seaport terminal
- Trucking company
- Rail station
- Exporter
- Customs declarant
Booking Data
How can I ensure that all process participants receive the booking data and stay informed about relevant updates?
The challenge
The essential planning basis for the entire transport starts with the booking. In addition to transport-relevant information, each booking also contains the different closings in the sea port. The exchange of booking data usually takes place bilaterally via the booking platform of a shipping company. In order to make the relevant information available to all parties involved in the transport process, data often needs to be further processed and then manually distributed. This results in considerable extra work for everyone.
The solution - EMP 4.0
- Availability of initial booking data on a central platform
- Automatic updates, e.g. via changed closings
- Configuration of recipient groups possible
- Options to display or hide sensitive information
- Basis for further use cases such as Cut Off List, ETA@PortundTrack & Trace
Customs registration
How can I make a customs declaration?
The challenge
For exports, there are primarily two different procedures for customs declarations:
- Notification of export at the beginning of the transport operation and presentation at the port (for export of goods leaving the EU)
- Transport to port under NCTS or simplified Community transit procedures, followed by summary declaration at the seaport customs office for temporary custody in the port (for goods originating from third countries)
The solution - EMP 4.0
- Support for export declarations with auto-completion of previously submitted process data
- Interfaces to existing systems, e.g. via ZAPP, BHT, WHT, etc.
- Opportunity to complete missing data
Customs status
How can I check on a customs status?
The challenge
The customs status is important for carriers and seaport terminals for the planning of loading. Therefore, the customs status needs to be displayed in addition to the transport status of the container. Knowledge of the customs status of the goods is essential for all types of transit procedures.
The solution - EMP 4.0
- Transmission and retrieval of the current customs status
- Synchronization with existing port systems for customs declarations (e.g. ZAPP, BHT)
- Interfaces to existing systems
Cut Off List
Will my container reach the intended vessel in time?
The challenge
Every carrier specifies the latest time by which a container, including the accompanying documents and related information, must be present at the seaport terminal. These so-called closings are communicated by the carrier with each booking confirmation and are thus a direct and binding contractual component of each individual booking. Carriers communicate any information about modified closings via updates to the booking confirmations. Information regarding which containers will reach a closing and which will not make it is essential for the stowage planning of the carriers and the terminals.
The solution - EMP 4.0
- Provides a container list indicating the current overall status (goods items, customs status, etc.) as a decision-making aid for stowage planning by shipping companies and terminals.
- Information on route planning, terminal slots, etc. serves as a basis.
- Comparison with ETA@Port and vessel ATA/ATD possible
- NEW: Recommendations for next vessel departures
DG registration
How can I make a dangerous goods declaration?
The challenge
When making a booking request, the forwarder informs the carrier about the details of dangerous goods. The carrier's COPARN then provides the terminals with the basic data for the expected dangerous goods container. After the container has been loaded by the shipper, the carrier then receives the IMO declaration, including the container number and signature of the person responsible for the commissioned hazardous goods as proof of the actual quantity of goods to be loaded in accordance with the IMDG code.
The solution EMP 4.0
- Transmission of dangerous goods data along the entire transport chain
- Plausibility check of dangerous goods data with interfaces to different port systems (e.g. C-point and GEGIS)
- Triggering of an automatic dangerous goods declaration
- Availability of a uniform dangerous goods data record enables individual, carrier-specific compilation
DG status
How can I be informed about stops and releases of my dangerous goods shipment?
The challenge
The transport and handling of dangerous goods are subject to special conditions due to the associated risk. The registration requirements vary according to the mode of transport and port location. The registered dangerous goods data ultimately forms the basis for official decisions and possible inspections at the sea port. An unforeseen inspection may result in a container not being able to be transferred or continue on its journey.
The solution - EMP 4.0
- Displays whether a dangerous goods declaration already exists
- Reviews the completeness of dangerous goods data, in particular when changing modes of transport
- Makes stops/releases transparent for everyone: immediate information about notices from authorities
- Important decision-making basis for dispositions in the sea port
Doc Cloud
How can I make the documents which accompany the transport available to the respective parties involved, or how can I receive those documents?
The challenge
Each shipment requires many different accompanying documents, including the shipping instructions, packing list, IMO declaration, container packing certificate, commercial invoice, waste notification document, veterinary certificate, VGM document, etc. These are often exchanged bilaterally and manually and are therefore not unrestricted or fully available to all parties involved in the process. The case-by-case retrieval or addition of required documents therefore requires additional effort.
The solution EMP 4.0
- Ability to add documents or photos to an export process at any time
- Availability of all transport-related documents at a central location
- Unique assignment to each export process: link to a booking, a transport order or an individual container
Empty Release
Is my release reference valid?
The challenge
For the pick-up of an empty container at the depot, the contracted carrier requires authorization from the shipping company in the form of a valid release reference, which is received indirectly via the responsible forwarding agent. All too often, by the time the driver arrives for the pick-up, the release reference is no longer valid or the requested container type is no longer available. In this case the carrier cannot complete the order, which results in time-consuming and costly delays in the transport process.
The solution - EMP 4.0
- Fast inquiry into the availability of a specific container type
- Easier planning through binding validity notifications
- Minimization of extra empty runs
- Connection to web services of many depots
ETA@Port
When will my container arrive in the destination port?
The challenge
The estimated time of arrival (ETA) of a container at the port allows a realistic assessment of whether a planned ship departure or closing will be on time or if a rebooking needs to be made. Traffic jams or waiting times at transport-specific intersections such as trans-shipment stations or locks can lead to changes in scheduling and thus to a postponement of the ETA at the port. To ensure that the process can be tracked, disruptions that directly affect the ETA should be transparent to all parties involved.
The solution EMP 4.0
- Container-related query of the estimated time of arrival at the port
- Constant updates based on numerous pre-defined way stations and transport-specific intersections
- More effective planning and modification options for subsequent handling processes
- Direct link with Cut Off List possible
Track & Trace
Where is my container?
The challenge
The combination of different modes of transport requires constant coordination between the parties involved in order to avoid delays, keep to time slots and make optimum use of resources. Due to the use of different systems and a bilateral exchange between parties, the transport status must often be queried manually. Moreover, the relevant position data is not always available to all parties involved.
The solution EMP 4.0
- Automated provision of current position data along the entire transport chain
- Numerous pre-defined way stations and transport-specific intersections such as terminals, rail yards or locks
- Better planning for pending transport and handling processes
Trouble Shooter
Are there problems that can lead to a delay in the transport process or a deviation from the transport schedule?
The challenge
There are many factors that can lead to a deviation from the planned transport procedure. It is important to communicate disruptions quickly and in a targeted manner, because all too often only the direct client or contractual partner is informed of a disruption. The other parties involved in the process, though they are also directly affected, often only find out that something is wrong by asking, or through indirect channels.
The solution - EMP 4.0
- Automatic recognition of problems on the basis of a detailed target-performance comparison
- Active notification of irregularities: error messages are automatically sent as push messages directly to your mobile device
- Disruptions in the transport process can be reported and/or forwarded and thus made available to the other transport partners
- Makes it possible to quickly react to deviations and delays
Vessel Arrival/Depart
Is the ship on which my container is scheduled to arrive on time?
The challenge
In principle, every ship has a scheduled time of arrival and departure. The so-called ETA or ETD can be obtained via different channels. This information is relevant insofar as delays can possibly lead to a postponement of the closing. This, in turn, has a direct influence on the supply control of the transport modes in the upstream transport chain and can thus serve as a basis for modifications by those involved.
The solution EMP 4.0
- All timetable data available, all the time
- Real-time query of ship departures and arrivals
- Constant updates of timetable information
- No time-consuming searches on multiple platforms and websites
- Container-related delay messages sent as push notifications
- als Push-Benachrichtigung
Vet status
How can I retrieve and check a veterinary status?
The challenge
Animal products to be exported to third countries for processing are already subject to a veterinary check at the sender's premises, where the container is sealed and registered in the EU's TRACES system. At the port, only a seal check is carried out, either at the veterinary office or at an inspection site at the sea port terminal. If the veterinary office issues a transport stop, they will inform the authorized party for disposition of the container, either a forwarding agent or an appointed Customs declarant. To ensure smooth operations in the port, it is therefore important to know whether a container will need veterinary inspection.
The solution EMP 4.0
- Transmission and retrieval of the current veterinary status
- If the container is delivered by truck, the carrier can then plan the route so that the container is first driven to the inspection point and then delivered to the seaport terminal.
- If the container is delivered by rail or inland waterway, the inspection must be planned in cooperation with the seaport terminal, and it may be necessary to order a truck transport to the veterinary office
VGM Info
How can I make the verified container weight available to other process participants?
The challenge
Since 2016, the gross weight of each container must be verified before loading onto the vessel, thus minimizing the risk of accidents at sea due to incorrect weight information. The loader is responsible for communicating the VGM to the vessel owner well in advance of loading to facilitate accurate stowage planning for vessels. Equally important is the correct information for the carriers involved in the pre-carriage and their use of resources, e.g. for rail car scheduling in rail transport. In many cases, dummy values are still used here, which can potentially lead to either overloading or capacity underutilization.
The solution - EMP 4.0
- Provides and forwards the verified container weight information
- Configuration of an address distribution list possible
- Can be used directly for capacity planning