Recently, the Port of Antwerp announced its new data platform, NxtPort. It’s a mega database containing details of the 25,000 containers that pass through the port daily. The port calls it a ‘virtual warehouse’ of container data, into which ocean freight companies will input their container data. Essentially, it’s aiming to reduce trucking time, increase port efficiency and cut logistical costs. But before you go ahead and applaud the idea, allow me to play devil’s advocate.

NxtPort: Consolidating container data

NxtPort’s main function is to collect and combine data from ‘various stages in the supply chain’. Starting from the second quarter of 2017, companies are encouraged to input their cargo data. This includes container collection times, container weights and vessels’ ETA.

What the Port of Antwerp is trying to do is cut down the unnecessary transportation of empty containers.

Currently, once an empty container is unloaded in say, for example, Brussels, it’s transported back to the depot in Antwerp Port. An hour later, an empty container could depart from the depot for a warehouse in Brussels for loading.

Given Antwerp Port’s extraordinary 2016 performance, it’s no wonder it’s aiming for the skies. By sharing container data, the empty, recently-unloaded container can go directly to the next customer who needs to load a container in Brussels without having to journey back to the depot at the port. That’s the ideal situation and what Antwerp Port hopes to achieve with NxtPort.

More inefficiencies than efficiencies?

It seems to be the perfect idea and solution to unnecessary trucking. It cuts down on logistical inefficiencies, reduces trucking emissions, and if all goes well, cuts costs and time. But I’m not entirely convinced that it will work.

First off, it’s quite difficult to input this data in the system correctly. Shipping carriers normally already have their own plans and typically always work with the same truckers. But freight forwarders function differently. They don’t always use the same truckers. And that’s where the difficulties come in.

Additionally, a recent survey shows that just 12% of maritime leaders are using big data. That’s despite 77% of them understanding the potential benefits of it. Plus, of those surveyed, 70% are aware of the cost-saving aspects of gathering real-time data. Reasons for not delving into the pool of big data include, lack of access, need for more skilled professionals and more training of current employees.

Yes, it’s good to know where containers are. But how efficient can this system be? Perhaps it would be a better idea to solve the underlying issues at hand before launching more big data systems.

Impracticality

There also appears to be certain impracticalities with NxtPort. Speaking from a freight forwarder’s point of view, it means having to work with different truckers all the time. This means the input of data can prove to be cumbersome.

Furthermore, different trucks have different chassis. How are they going to solve this problem? Plus, every time a truck picks up a new container, it’d have to ask the carrier for permission to reuse this container. This is information gathering that would take up quite a lot of time.

Don’t get me wrong. The process of data exchange between shipping carriers, customs and even port authorities can definitely be improved. And as NxtPort tries to centralize goods data flow, it certainly has the essence of the ideal solution. But I’m not sure how they’re going to set it up and pull it off. There are just simply too many variables involved.



