Port of Antwerp intoduces BTS for container barges
As of 3 September 2012 container barges must make use of the Barge Traffic System (BTS) at all container handling terminals in the port of Antwerp. The requirement is clearly laid down in Information Note N° 66 issued by the Harbourmaster's office. This system makes it possible to organise container loading and unloading more efficiently, offering advantages both for barge operators and for terminal operators, the port's press release said.
BTS consists of a free internet application that can be used by barge operators to give advance notice of their arrival at a terminal, request a time slot or pass other information on to the terminal operator. The system provides a uniform procedure instead of lots of bilateral agreements between terminal operators and container barge operators. For the terminal operators this leads to better planning of the loading and unloading activities, while for the barge operators it results in shorter waiting times and more efficient management of the sailing schedules. In addition it permits more efficient traffic management in the port in general, and thus also greater safety. Finally it always ensures up-to-date information and can be used to consult lock schedules.
At the moment the system is only available to container barges, and is now obligatory for them. However there is great interest in expanding it to other forms of barge transport in future.
New version
BTS was developed by Antwerp Port Authority in close consultation with the various parties involved. Construction work for an upgrade to version BTS 3.0 will start in autumn this year. The BTS workgroup consisting of terminal operators, barge operators and the Port Authority is being consulted for the development of this new version.
The new version will afford greater transparency of the planning process between the terminals on the one hand and barge operators on the other. It will also permit closer coordination and monitoring, resulting in even better optimisation of container barge handling operations.
Nearly 35% of transport of containers to and from the port of Antwerp is by barge. This is a substantial amount in comparison with other ports, but nevertheless the Port Authority aims to raise it to 42% by 2020.