Efficiency Through Innovation

Hutchison Ports stands at the forefront of technological advancement in the ports industry. Through continuous investment and countless exploration, we’ve developed cutting-edge solutions that contribute to greater efficiency across every aspect of our operations. To stay ahead, we will continue to innovate, and use cutting-edge technologies and equipment that satisfy the needs of our customers.

TERMINAL OPERATING SYSTEM

The Next Generation Terminal Management System (nGen), developed in 2003 by in-house terminal expertise and logistics experts enabling Hutchison Ports to increase capacity, service and profitability. nGen optimises, innovates and collaborates terminals with operations intelligences, execution and control, reporting and inventory.

nGen, created by Hutchison Ports, surpasses any commercially available terminal-management system. It is truly scalable across all non-proprietary computer system hardware, from a small feeder terminal operation to large hub ports. nGen and its development approach have been awarded with technology excellence awards and certifications in all sectors, such as the CMMI Level 3, ISO 27001 Security Standard, ITIL v3 IT Service Management, APICTA 2006 Industrial Applications Winner and ISO 20000 IT Service Management.

To date*, there are 22 business units (BUs) using nGen and by 2024 there will be ten more BU adopt nGen down the pipeline (subject to port development). The latest version of nGen is capable of handling semi-automated and remote-control equipment as well as autonomous truck. *(July 2020)

SIMULATION AND EMULATION

Our in-house simulation is an extremely powerful tool for designing our terminals. Using 3D animation, we can simulate different operational scenarios – based on four key areas: berth, yard, gate and traffic. By comparing performance indicators and resource-utilisation, we can find the ideal terminal design and equipment levels before committing investments. Emulation is also developed for testing and tuning of new nGen implementation. Hutchison Ports Thailand’s Terminal D,  one of our flagship terminals, which relies on the in-house simulation with the terminal design, layout and operation plan.  It will be the world’s first container terminal to operate both remote control QCs and RTGCs.

AUTOMATED EQUIPMENT SCHEDULING AND CONTROL

Hutchison Ports has a proven history of running automated terminals. Our in-house equipment control system at Hutchison Ports ECT Rotterdam instructs and runs automated vehicles and stacking cranes simultaneously with the built-in optimized job scheduler and automatic assignment modules.

GATE AUTOMATION

Continuous, fast and reliable gate operations are possible through gate automation. These systems integrate advanced technologies such as Optical Characters Recognition (OCR), License Plate Recognition (LPR), CCTV, RFID tractor card reader and remote reefer monitoring system. 

Self-service kiosks installed on every gate lane allow truck drivers to find out the location of the container.

ELECTRONIC PAYMENT SERVICE

To enhance the flow of goods and efficient payment methods, some of our terminals use an electronic payment service, allowing customers to settle bills via an automated teller machine, a ‘clickpay’ service on the bank’s website, or a debit card service. The electronic payment system is integrated with the terminal’s auto gate system to further streamline payment procedures.

eBilling & ePayment will be introduced to Hutchison Ports gateway terminals with a 24/7 eServices for landside billing and payment. We aim to connect and service our landside customers seamlessly, anywhere and at any time in today’s digital world via a common platform across business units. This service will first be introduced to the Middle East & Africa and South East Asia regions.

ONLINE E-TRACKING SERVICES

Some of our ports use our own online e-tracking service, which updates vessel and gate schedules and tracks container shipments. Shipment tracking allows port users to plan movements for export and import shipments well in advance of a vessel’s arrival. It also updates on the status of container shipments, enabling them to report on the product as it travels to customers. This new service is in line with the company’s commitment to continuously improve business processes and enhance electronic information services.

The company’s first mobile app ubi was launched in May 2017, it offers the latest information about the port, shipping vessels, containers and rails, tracks containers through the port, books and manages truck appointments, accesses gate in slips and Equipment Interchange Receipts (EIRs), views vessel operations and also gets latest updates and notifications.

Hutchison Ports Thailand has launched ubi allowing customers in easy reach of the port 24/7, anywhere, everywhere. It's available for download on both iOS and Android systems.

Radio Data System

Hutchison Ports Thailand is the first terminal in the group to implement nTRACS technology to its port operations. nTRACS is the key enabler to achieve cost saving, improve user experience and gaining productivity via wireless devices.

nTRACS encompasses a wide-variety of features that enable operators to optimize work efficiency, keeping us one step ahead of curve covering all business needs. Our operators also benefit from the enhanced nTRACS user interface to perform container inspection and movement confirmation.

nTRACS is currently being used in Oman, Thailand, Myanmar, Pakistan, UAE and will implement to Indonesia, Mexico by 2020.

Blockchain

Hutchison Ports has joined eight leading ocean carriers and terminal operators to form a consortium to develop the Global Shipping Business Network (GSBN) in defining the global blockchain standard. GSBN will develop innovative applications to create value to stakeholders in the supply chain. The network’s unique combination of carriers and terminal operators provides a balanced perspective, generating new ideas to transform the industry by going beyond the conventional carrier-centric business model.