Philippines-based International Container Terminal Services Inc. has developed a new e-commerce service, Web Booking, which enables the paperless booking of full export containers at its flagship Manila International Container Terminal.
The service is a complementary feature of the terminal's new gate system that features computer imaging and tracking systems, truck portals with imaging cameras, automated driver transaction kiosks, and radiation portal monitors among other things.
Web Booking is available at MICT's e-commerce facility, MICT iBox. One of the biggest benefits is that it allows trucks to go directly to the entrance gates, as they no longer need to proceed to the administration check for export containers.
"The advent of the new gate system, and in particular the introduction of the Web Booking service, has been well received by the shipping lines," said Tommy Ysip, ICTSI's systems/process development manager and project head for Web Booking.
"The new system has helped raise efficiency in the handling of containers and eradicated queues. Overall, it has helped improve productivity and efficiency in the terminal," said Ysip.
MICT is studying the possible inclusion of empty export containers and import containers in Web Booking. "The most ideal situation is to have all containers that pass through the MICT booked prior to entry at the terminal. With innovation being among the thrusts of the company, we'll surely look into that," Ysip added.