In the fourth quarter of 2017, the container terminals HHLA Hamburg Hafen und Logistik AG and Eurogate Container Terminal Hamburg will introduce a mandatory slot booking system. The primary objectives include smoothing out the timing of truck arrivals at the terminals during peak hours, greater transparency with regard to the anticipated truck volume, an improved planning basis for resource use and significantly reduced waiting times for truck drivers. At the first informational event, held on July 12, 2017 at DAKOSY AG, representatives of the two terminal operators informed trucking companies about the current state of development and plans for the launch.

The conditions for the introduction of slot bookings were set up through the successful introduction of transport pre-declarations in November 2016. This process, which was also developed by DAKOSY, is now used by over 95% of trucking companies. In addition to the improved information basis for the terminals, transport companies also see positive results for their handling processes. Terminals review the data in the transport pre-declaration and immediately notify transport companies whether the data is correct and when their containers will be ready for collection. Empty loads and unnecessary trips can be avoided.

Slot booking procedures
Slot bookings are based on the information given in the transport pre-declarations. This means that the trucking company requests a pick-up or delivery time in its route plan, and several containers can be combined into one slot at the terminal if they are all for the same tour. The slot is assigned when the container status is positive, free capacity is available, and the container is not already booked on another tour. Slots can be booked three business days in advance. All slots can be changed, modified or canceled. In addition, additional containers can be added to an existing tour plan. Each slot is allocated a time frame of one hour, with a waiting period of 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the booked time slot. If the driver arrives outside the designated time, he will still be dispatched if there is free capacity at the terminal. In the case of major delays, the slot expires and must be newly booked.

Start of operations
Both HHLA and Eurogate will complete the necessary preparation to begin the changeover process in autumn. Starting in mid-October, HHLA plans to start a pilot operation with selected companies -- first at the CTA Container Terminal in Altenwerder and then step-by-step at the other two terminals. The goal is to pinpoint and correct technical “teething troubles” during the five to six weeks of the test phase, so that at the end of the year the start of real operations will go smoothly for all trucking companies. In lieu of a test phase, Eurogate plans to offer all transport companies the opportunity to try out the entire new process once the development work has been completed. Of course, all transports will receive normal handling, with or without a slot booking, until the mandatory implementation of the new procedures.

In general, it is recommended that all affected transport companies prepare themselves well in advance of the planned changes in the port of Hamburg. For further information, please visit the website www.truckgate.de.