Efficient cargo movement through terminals is vital for profitability, and Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) play a crucial role in optimising operations. While widely used in container terminals, their application in other segments is limited. However, TOS serves as the central nervous system of terminals, coordinating various tasks from cargo arrival to departure, utilising real-time data to allocate resources efficiently. Particularly in yard management, TOS provides digital representations, optimising cargo placement and space utilisation. With its ability to streamline operations and minimise wastage, TOS enhances terminal efficiency and profitability, making it indispensable in modern cargo management.
Planning, tracking, and managing the movement of cargo through terminals is a logistically complex process prone to inefficiencies. Enhancing the efficiency of terminal operations is key to creating greater business value and, ultimately, more profitable operations. This can be achieved with a Terminal Operating System (TOS). These systems have been widely deployed in container terminals. One well-known one is Navis N4, which has assisted with the movement of more than 250 million containers each year. However, applications of a TOS are limited to mixed cargo, bulk, or other segments.
A TOS is like a terminal’s central nervous system. It coordinates, synchronises, and optimises operations from cargo arrival to departure. It receives, processes, and analyses data from the terminal, giving operators full transparency across their operations and helping them make data-driven decisions. A terminal has many assets, all of which require optimal management to improve its efficiency and profitability. A TOS serves as a central database for all incoming and outgoing freight. By using real-time data, a TOS automatically coordinates available berths, the deployment of equipment, human resources, and yard space, regardless of the type of cargo or vessel.
A TOS can bring significant value when it comes to yard management. A TOS provides a digital representation of the yard, which allows the terminal operator to plan and configure yard activities and decide where and how to move cargo based on the set-up of the terminal. More importantly, when new cargo enters the terminal, the TOS automatically allocates the most suitable location for that cargo, depending on its requirements. The varying shapes and sizes of mixed cargo mean that allocating yard space manually is time-consuming and, at times, frustrating. By digitally representing the yard, it becomes much clearer to the terminal operator where the most suitable yard space is for that specific type of cargo. Furthermore, this digital representation enables the yard management plan to be shared with various parties, facilitating transparency and visibility on yard operations.
Not only does a TOS produce a digitised visual representation of the yard as a whole with a detailed birdās-eye-view, but it also visualises shed areas and rack tiers for easy cargo placement and space optimisation. To ensure that space is being utilised efficiently, a TOS automatically generates capacity validation and summaries. This means that discrepancies can be easily tracked through the over, short, and damage (OS&D) process, which is commonly used to account for discrepancies during inventory management with minimal wastage and disruption. When optimised, this dynamic workflow allows smooth storage, allocation, and configuration of yard equipment.
For a more detailed understanding and exploration of the topics covered in this article, refer to our report, commissioned by Kaleris. Gateways of Tomorrow: Exploring the business value of digital transformation for general cargo terminals. You can download the full report below:
