For release: 21 Jan 2008
EDS Pilots Efficiency Gains at Port of Melbourne
MELBOURNE – The Port of Melbourne will trial new technology designed to dramatically increase cargo movement by integrating information from thousands of users into one online system.
Global technology services company EDS has won a 12-month contract with the Victorian Department of Infrastructure to run a pilot program to prove the viability of the initiative.
The program aims to replicate the success of Spain’s Port of Valencia, one of the first in the world to successfully integrate a port’s supply chain into a single information portal.
EDS Australia managing director Chris Mitchell said the Port of Valencia had improved the time to process a container by 50 to 60 percent in the last five years and provided savings to all users of the port.
“The Spanish have now moved to commercialise this technology and have joined with EDS to introduce the system to other ports around the world,” he said.
“The Port of Melbourne currently moves about two million containers annually – almost 40 percent of Australia’s international container trade.
“With traffic expected to more than double over the next 30 years, the Port of Melbourne is in a position to achieve major improvements in both efficiency and cost.”
The 12-month pilot will involve about 10 different organisations, including the Port Authority, shipping and freight companies as well as importers and exporters.
The aim is to integrate their information and documentation in key areas such as berth booking, container status, trade directory, hazardous cargo and ship arrivals and departures. The system will enable participants to be the first to trial improved services to offer their customers, helping them to be more competitive, win cargo and earn customer loyalty by improving their processes.
Melbourne-based IT consulting firm Red Wahoo, which specialises in B2B technology and has previously mapped the Port of Melbourne supply chain, will work with EDS during the pilot.
Mr Mitchell said the intention was to provide far greater access to shipping, cargo and transport operations information, remove duplication and achieve higher quality, more reliable data.
“Cargo transactions involve a broad mix of public and private organisations with varying degrees of IT maturity and legacy systems,” Mr Mitchell said. “It’s a complex environment with disconnected pieces of information and processes that ultimately results in delays and congestion in port operations.
“We’re looking forward to working with the Victorian Government and the port community on proving the viability of this system to allow future growth at the port. This is all about building efficiency and maximising capacity of the port to support the growth of Victorian industry.”
Mr Mitchell said there was considerable interest in the system from other ports in the Asia Pacific region and globally.
About EDS
EDS is a leading global technology services company delivering business solutions to its clients. EDS founded the information technology outsourcing industry more than 40 years ago. Today, EDS delivers a broad portfolio of information technology and business process outsourcing services to clients in the manufacturing, financial services, healthcare, communications, energy, transportation, and consumer and retail industries and to governments around the world. Learn more at eds.com.
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