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Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) is a member of HPH Trust, the world's first container port business trust listed in Singapore. HIT is also a part of HPH's global network of port and logistics operations, and continues to have access to services and resources enjoyed by companies within the HPH Group.
Situated in the Kwai Tsing container port area of Hong Kong - one of the busiest container ports in the world - HIT operates twelve berths at Terminals 4, 6, 7 and 9 and another two through its joint venture with COSCO Pacific Limited at Terminal 8 (East). HIT and COSCO-HIT handle over 50 per cent of Kwai Tsing's container port traffic.
Established in 1969, HIT has continuously set the industry benchmarks for productivity, efficiency and value-added services. Using modern management techniques, state-of-the-art computer systems and award winning IT applications, HIT has become the center of excellence for the group, Hutchison Port Holdings. Unique advantages
From their company statement, HIT has continuously set industry benchmarks for productivity, efficiency and value-added services. Using modern management techniques, state-of-the-art computer systems and award winning IT applications, HIT has become a pinnacle of industry excellence.
a. Productivity
Through the innovative use of systems and technology in the Kwai Chung container terminal operators, the container terminal lead the world in utilizing space and productivity.
Kwai Tsing container port area of Hong Kong - one of the busiest container ports in the world - HIT operates twelve berths at Terminals 4, 6, 7 and 9 and another two through its joint venture with COSCO Pacific Limited at Terminal 8 (East).
By 1987, Hong Kong was number one in the world container league, handling almost half of Hong Kong's throughput. The year 2000 was another banner year with double-digit growth in port throughput. Today, with over 80 international shipping lines providing 460 weekly container services to more than 170 ports worldwide, Hong Kong dwarfs its rivals.
b. Value-added services
Since 1990s with continued growth , HIT has established a unique kind of container handling mode in Hong Kong known as midstream operations. Midstream operations contribute to the service flexibility of the Port of Hong Kong by offering smaller container ships the ability to lie at secure buoys in the harbor and be unloaded by barge.
This operation can greatly reduce the cost of spending a pier for the ship, and avoid the delay of transaction due to the searching of pier.
c. Efficiency
With the help of the innovative technologies, most of the process can be automatized. There are mainly two parts of automation in HIT.
i. Yard automation
Container yard activities are planned, coordinated and monitored automatically. HIT reduces the time vessels spend at berth, saves tractor turnaround time in the terminal, and provides flexibility in handling customers' special requirements. The computer system maintains detailed information on each container and provides a variety of enquiry, reporting and analysis facilities to assist in management of container inventory.
A special feature of the system is a yard map that contains the exact location of all containers in the terminal at any one time.
The system links to the Customer Plus and Gate Automation.
Coordination with other ports
New forces are at work. The integration of Kwai Chung into the network of South China ports, expansion of midstream and river trade operations, supported by sophisticated and electronically delivered logistics services, continue to make Hong Kong a sea-trade logistics hub.
Since 1990s with continued growth , HIT has established a unique kind of container handling mode in Hong Kong known as midstream operations. Midstream operations contribute to the service flexibility of the Port of Hong Kong by offering smaller container ships the ability to lie at secure buoys in the harbor and be unloaded by barge.
This operation can greatly reduce the cost of spending a pier for the ship, and avoid the delay of transaction due to the searching of pier.
c. Efficiency
With the help of the innovative technologies, most of the process can be automatized. There are mainly two parts of automation in HIT.
i. Yard automation
Container yard activities are planned, coordinated and monitored automatically. HIT reduces the time vessels spend at berth, saves tractor turnaround time in the terminal, and provides flexibility in handling customers' special requirements. The computer system maintains detailed information on each container and provides a variety of enquiry, reporting and analysis facilities to assist in management of container inventory.
A special feature of the system is a yard map that contains the exact location of all containers in the terminal at any one time.
The system links to the Customer Plus and Gate Automation.
Coordination with other ports
New forces are at work. The integration of Kwai Chung into the network of South China ports, expansion of midstream and river trade operations, supported by sophisticated and electronically delivered logistics services, continue to make Hong Kong a sea-trade logistics hub.
ii.Gate automation
Gate procedures at HIT are fully automated to increase service and efficiency.
Gate procedures at HIT are fully automated to increase service and efficiency.
Shippers can dial in their tractor information to ensure rapid turnaround.
Drivers can make appointments up to three days in advance.
Drivers use a "Common Tractor Identity Card" to enter and leave the terminal.
Our Smart Dual Move System enables drivers to deliver and collect, avoiding empty runs.
Drivers get instructions on pick-up and grounding locations through Mobile Terminal Message via mobile phone.
HIT TECHNOLOGY
a. nGen
nGen,( Next Generation Terminal Management System) is a complete rewrite of award winning 3P Terminal Management System using much enhanced process logic and the latest open computer technologies.
With the implementation of nGen, the system controls the entire scope of terminal operations from ship and yard planning, gate operations, vessel operations and interactions, yard configuration and performance, overall operations monitoring, equipment utilization, productivity to costs optimization.
Drivers can make appointments up to three days in advance.
Drivers use a "Common Tractor Identity Card" to enter and leave the terminal.
Our Smart Dual Move System enables drivers to deliver and collect, avoiding empty runs.
Drivers get instructions on pick-up and grounding locations through Mobile Terminal Message via mobile phone.
HIT TECHNOLOGY
a. nGen
nGen,( Next Generation Terminal Management System) is a complete rewrite of award winning 3P Terminal Management System using much enhanced process logic and the latest open computer technologies.
With the implementation of nGen, the system controls the entire scope of terminal operations from ship and yard planning, gate operations, vessel operations and interactions, yard configuration and performance, overall operations monitoring, equipment utilization, productivity to costs optimization.
b.Electronic data interchange(EDI) and Customer Plus
HIT has made extensive use of electronic communications and has developed a number of links with customers and port users. Shipping-related documents are converted into electronic form to speed up communications, increase efficiency, reduce paperwork and provide value-added services.
Electronic communications have been particularly beneficial for traffic flow, with HIT scheduling vehicle arrivals to avoid congestion in the port area.
EDI and Customer Plus allows HIT to transfer electronically data files such as:
Export booking data
Stowage instructions and Stowage plans
Loading/discharging container data
Gate movement log
Tractor pre-advice & appointment
Empty delivery & collection
Terminal receipt
Invoice
c. Tractor Appointment System
The Tractor Appointment System is HIT's innovative scheduling system for collecting inbound, loaded containers. It has helped meet the needs of customers by:
handling a higher number of tractors without delay
increasing productivity by keeping tractors picking up cargo away from discharging areas
ensuring rapid turnaround for ships and tractors
The appointment system is a key part of HIT's gate automation process.
d. Control tower and planning
Four systems are involved in here
Operations Monitoring System (OMS)
OMS helps HIT staff visualize information on terminal operations and container stacking through a graphic representation. Overviews cover the entire container yard down to details of an individual container. The system can predict yard congestion so operators can take preemptive action.
Ship Planning System (Guider)
Guider delivers optimal sequences for discharging and loading vessels, ensuring ship stability and efficient operations. Computers hold a library of every vessel berthing at the terminal. The system generates pier-side instructions to yard operators.
Radio Data System (RDS)
RDS uses radio channels and remote terminals to provide detailed information on yard operations and container movements. RDS acts as the eyes and ears to the main computer system nGen. Terminals include computers mounted in the cabins of each Rubber-Tyred Gantry Crane and hand-held computers carried by operators and supervisors in the yards and on the quayside.
Paging
Private paging is used by internal tractors serving the vessel and marshaling operations. Pagers dispatch precise movement instructions to the tractor drivers on a real-time basis.
2. How is HIT security functioning so as to ensure there are no prohibited products in the port?
Before arriving the terminal
For ship
Before ocean-going vessels arrive, key information such as container numbers, weight, size and type is sent to HIT via Electronic Data Interchange and Customer Plus.
External tractor drivers can make appointments using the Tractor Appointment System to pick up containers using Interactive Voice Response.
Therefore, HIT can gather all detailed information before check-in of all trucks it ensures that there is a well preparation for the further operations.
For automobiles
Before automobiles arrive the entry gate, they will be separate into two lines which are car with containers or without containers. The line with containers will be checked regularly to ensure it is safe when it leaves the terminal.
During check-in the terminal
For ship
There will be customs doing inspection regularly to make sure there are not any prohibited things on ship.
For automobiles
After the details enter the system as well as external tractors enter HIT, gate checkpoints scan the driver’s Tractor Identify Card(TID) and HIT’s nGen System acknowledges the vehicle’s arrival. Tractor drivers can go directly to the yard for container pickup/grounding or await further notice using Mobile Terminal Message. Tractor drivers do not need to leave the cabin at any time.
Leaving the exit gate (For automobiles only)
Drivers must complete the procedure for container inspection. The TID is scanned again for system confirmation.
3.What is the contingency plan for the quayside operation when it has extreme weather condition?
There are some measures to make sure the terminal is able to minimizing the effects on extreme weather condition.
Typhoon 1
HIT triggers its monitoring mechanism by maintaining a close contact with the Hong Kong Observatory to keep track of the tropical cyclone / typhoon and prepares to secure its container yard and equipment.
Continuous weather-related information is sent by the Hong Kong Observatory. On-site wind-monitoring equipment measures local wind speeds at HIT terminals. If speeds exceed 61kph, an alarm will be activated to alert people in the container yard.
Typhoon 3
Precautionary measures:
a. Scheduling on-berth vessels to stop work and leave the Terminal for shelters,
b. Announcing to the public the time when the Terminal will close and securing the container yard and equipment before a higher signal is hoisted.
c. Stacks of containers are leveled out, as protruding containers are more susceptible to damage.
d. Ships move away from berths.
e. Quayside cranes are firmly secured and yard cranes are moved to designated positions and anchored.
f. Container stacks are made rigid with special fittings.
Securing the terminal takes hundreds of workers and a minimum of 16 hours.
Continuous weather-related information is obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory. On-site wind-monitoring equipment measures local wind speeds at HIT terminals. If speeds exceed 61kph, an alarm will be activated to alert people in the container yard.
Typhoon 8/9/10
HIT will cease all terminal operations.
4. How can HIT deal with the challenges from the port of Shenzhen as their cargoes throughput keeps rapidly increasing?
The positioning of two terminals are different, it is difficult to harm each other as both of them works very well in their segment. The different can be seen below by both terminals company focus.
HIT
HIT focus on transit trade, therefore, HIT is developed to satisfy it which is transshipment. Most of the customers from other countries are putting their product to HIT, which seen as a inter-medium, and then pick up by other customers from different countries. For example, Vietnam ship to HK for store, and then pick up and shipped to North America.
Shekou Container Terminals Ltd (SCT)
As Shenzhen is an export business party, so it takes advantage on export.
SCT has developed sea-rail inter modal transportation network, which connects rapidly growing cities, such as Changsha, Zhuzhou, Liling, Hengyang, Kunming, Nanchang and Shaoguan, in the west and southwest of China. As such they form the basis of SCT’s central strategy to expand its cargo hinterland.
a.Efficiency
HIT maintain a very low turn over rate which enhance customers efficiency as well. Through the technology HIT using, it can be highly useful to enhance the efficiency of the terminals.
b. Security
HIT is prior to provide a safety environment to all employees, contractors, and terminal users. Therefore, it has set up a committee to ensure the knowledge of safety for all employees.
With the practising of safety working environment, Hongkong International Terminals (HIT) has received the Continual Improvement Safety Programme Recognition of System (CISPROS) Level 3 certificate from the Occupational Safety & Health Council (OSHC) HIT is one of only five companies in Hong Kong to have received this prestigious recognition from the OSHC.
Besides, the products and cargoes stored in HIT has been treated well as well and the products are always be treated in a very good condition which helps to enhance confidence as well.
b.Trust
Through the efficiency and trust stated above, good relationship between HIT and customers should be enhanced due to the well working performance maintained by HIT.
6. As the global trade and the needs for logistic chain management increases, how can your company diversify your operations beyond the traditional role of a container port operator?
There is no doubt that the technology development play a great role in HIT, especially nGen. Therefore, the development of nGen is a important factor for HIT to sustain their competitive advantage.
Maintain economic of scale is an important factor as well as the larger the scale they had, it is more possible for them to provide a better price for their customers and also it is used to enhance their productivity as well.
With real-time operator alerts, each control staff can customize more than a dozen automated alerts to suit different situations. These alerts not only allow the operators to take appropriate actions at appropriate times, but also relieve on-the-job pressure.
Finally, nGen has over one hundred user-definable business rules that can be fine-tuned. For example, an operator can adjust the laden box grounding and internal tractor deployment rules to meet customers' specific operating requirements. No more reprogramming and compiling, as nGen now adapts effortlessly.
Human resources training is very important too as technology is growing rapidly, more and more manpower is shifted into office instead of the port as the port is seen to be developed automatically someday afterwards to reduce the danger workers exposure as well as to ensure efficiency and accuracy as well.
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