HHLA launches first self-service terminal
HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) is the first in Germany to have introduced intuitive self-service terminals at which truckers can easily check in their standard containers within around 130 seconds. The system cuts down waiting times, especially at peak hours, and will also be installed at Burchardkai and Tollerort, the two other terminals run by Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA).
To cut down waiting time for the preliminary check and achieve faster processing for all truckers, HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) has installed eight self-service terminals at which drivers can check in their standard containers in an average of 130 seconds. All that they need is a valid trucker card and complete container data. Thanks to the clearly structured instructions for use in six languages and the intuitive touchscreen design, registration is very straightforward.
After an initial voluntary test phase, self-service terminal processing of standard containers became obligatory in mid-June, being supervised by trained staff on the spot able to provide assistance over any initial teething troubles during the first few weeks. Only special cargoes such as hazardous goods or reefer containers will continue to be processed manually. “If the project gets off to a good start, we shall further top up the total number of terminals. Our goal is to process seventy percent of truckers via the self-service terminals,” explains Holger Mewes, CTA Project Manager, Terminal Development.
The units come from the Belgian manufacturer Camco, which has already introduced a similar system successfully in Antwerp. Along with Sven Andressen, CTA Manager, Container Administration, Mewes has supervised development as well as continuous further improvement and introduction into service of the self-service terminals in Hamburg. “We tackled this together with the truckers and tried out the user guidance,” reports Mewes, “the touchscreen contributed greatly to acceptance of the system. Once you have done the check-in two or three times, the learning impact is very strong and processing becomes very rapid.”
Mewes cites this as the reason why the response among the approx. 2,000 truckers calling daily at CTA is overwhelmingly favourable. For instance, Hans Stapelfeldt, Managing Director of Stapelfeldt Transport GmbH, comments: “The notably growing volume of local cargo in the Port of Hamburg is leading to an extremely pressing need for the improvement of processing procedures for trucks. These self-service terminals enable truckers to process themselves rapidly and without error. More trucks accordingly transit the port more rapidly and as a forwarder, I really welcome that. In my opinion, the switch to self-service terminals is logical – in the same way as the introduction of cash machines previously. Today nobody can imagine life without them.” It is the drivers, not least, who profit from fast processing – above all during peak hours, when long queues can arise with personal processing.
In the first quarter of 2011, the previous year’s level on trucking was reached again at CTA . After the crisis, handling totals rose fastest for carriers on hinterland routes. At CTA just now, for instance, around 40 percent of containers are being delivered/collected by truckers. Oliver Dux, Managing Director CTA, is therefore very happy that the introduction of the self-service terminal has functioned so smoothly. “Through distinctly leaner processes we are cushioning peak times and shortening handling times for truckers at the terminal,” explains Dux. To achieve that, HHLA has made investments running into six figures in IT , development and equipment needed for the introduction of the new self-service terminals.
It is not just in Altenwerder that the intention is that truckers should profit from the new system. The self-service terminals may have been introduced there first, but they are to be introduced at the other two HHLA terminals with an identical user interface – at Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB) this is just about to happen and at Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT) it will do so in the course of this year. HHLA is therefore setting new standards in Hamburg that others may perhaps emulate.
To cut down waiting time for the preliminary check and achieve faster processing for all truckers, HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) has installed eight self-service terminals at which drivers can check in their standard containers in an average of 130 seconds. All that they need is a valid trucker card and complete container data. Thanks to the clearly structured instructions for use in six languages and the intuitive touchscreen design, registration is very straightforward.
After an initial voluntary test phase, self-service terminal processing of standard containers became obligatory in mid-June, being supervised by trained staff on the spot able to provide assistance over any initial teething troubles during the first few weeks. Only special cargoes such as hazardous goods or reefer containers will continue to be processed manually. “If the project gets off to a good start, we shall further top up the total number of terminals. Our goal is to process seventy percent of truckers via the self-service terminals,” explains Holger Mewes, CTA Project Manager, Terminal Development.
The units come from the Belgian manufacturer Camco, which has already introduced a similar system successfully in Antwerp. Along with Sven Andressen, CTA Manager, Container Administration, Mewes has supervised development as well as continuous further improvement and introduction into service of the self-service terminals in Hamburg. “We tackled this together with the truckers and tried out the user guidance,” reports Mewes, “the touchscreen contributed greatly to acceptance of the system. Once you have done the check-in two or three times, the learning impact is very strong and processing becomes very rapid.”
Mewes cites this as the reason why the response among the approx. 2,000 truckers calling daily at CTA is overwhelmingly favourable. For instance, Hans Stapelfeldt, Managing Director of Stapelfeldt Transport GmbH, comments: “The notably growing volume of local cargo in the Port of Hamburg is leading to an extremely pressing need for the improvement of processing procedures for trucks. These self-service terminals enable truckers to process themselves rapidly and without error. More trucks accordingly transit the port more rapidly and as a forwarder, I really welcome that. In my opinion, the switch to self-service terminals is logical – in the same way as the introduction of cash machines previously. Today nobody can imagine life without them.” It is the drivers, not least, who profit from fast processing – above all during peak hours, when long queues can arise with personal processing.
In the first quarter of 2011, the previous year’s level on trucking was reached again at CTA . After the crisis, handling totals rose fastest for carriers on hinterland routes. At CTA just now, for instance, around 40 percent of containers are being delivered/collected by truckers. Oliver Dux, Managing Director CTA, is therefore very happy that the introduction of the self-service terminal has functioned so smoothly. “Through distinctly leaner processes we are cushioning peak times and shortening handling times for truckers at the terminal,” explains Dux. To achieve that, HHLA has made investments running into six figures in IT , development and equipment needed for the introduction of the new self-service terminals.
It is not just in Altenwerder that the intention is that truckers should profit from the new system. The self-service terminals may have been introduced there first, but they are to be introduced at the other two HHLA terminals with an identical user interface – at Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB) this is just about to happen and at Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT) it will do so in the course of this year. HHLA is therefore setting new standards in Hamburg that others may perhaps emulate.