Abu Dhabi Ports is implementing a brand-new terminal operating system (TOS) which will enhance the general cargo operations at the emirate’s ports, significantly improving processing times and the full range of customer service offerings. 

The state-of-the-art port management software called Master Terminal will replace Abu Dhabi Ports’ existing systems and support the management of all aspects of general cargo operations, including bulk, break bulk, project and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) cargo.

It will provide real-time information about cargo flows at any time of the day and improve the utilisation of port facilities, while increasing visibility and productivity with regards to operations, planning and reporting procedures.

“We are committed to continual investment in order to stay competitive in the 21st century and to confirm our position at the forefront of progress. Master Terminal will boost our service offerings and support us in handling our growing general cargo volumes and delivering trade excellence,” said Gary Lemke, executive vice president, ports unit, Abu Dhabi Ports.

“We selected Jade Software as our partner to install Master Terminal because it is the best product to meet our requirements. Jade Software also brings a wealth of experience in general cargo operations and this knowledge is crucial to us as we transform our business to be the leading general cargo operator and port of choice in the region,” Lemke said.

David Lindsay, managing director, Jade Software, added: “We are excited to have formed this new relationship with Abu Dhabi Ports and look forward to working closely with them to not only achieve their operational goals, but also to support their growth aspirations for the future.”

Master Terminal will be installed during the second quarter of this year. The first two ports to be implemented will be Khalifa Port and Zayed Port, as both play key roles in the UAE’s import and export business with an annual capacity of 20 million tonnes of cargo”.

The new system will greatly enhance operations at Khalifa Port. With the megaproject duo of Khalifa Port and its neighbouring Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) fully launched, Abu Dhabi Ports is now competing with the best ports and industrial zones in the world.

The port is currently serving the world’s largest container ships, arriving all the way from the Far East.

Kizad has broken targets for attracting big industry players: around 50 companies have signed up to begin production.

With the container terminal fully operational since September 2012 and Emirates Aluminium’s dedicated on-site berth busy since November 2010, Khalifa Port is impressive.

With the only semi-automated container terminal in the region, the port features six of the world’s largest STS (ship-to-shore) cranes. Three more have been ordered. Its first phase will enable it to handle 2.5 million containers and handle 12 million tonnes of cargo.

With the right market conditions, Khalifa Port is designed to be able to expand over four more phases to be able to handle 15 million containers and 35 million tonnes of cargo by 2030.

SIMULATOR TRAINING FOR GMS

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Ports and Gulf Marine Services (GMS) have signed a contract that allows GMS access to Abu Dhabi Ports’ Maritime Training Centre in Musaffah to provide simulator training for existing and potential liftboat masters.

The training will be the first of its kind in the GCC region and be conducted by certified instructors from GMS, the largest provider of self-propelled and self-elevating accommodation liftboats or jackup barges in the Middle East. Initially, training will be provided for GMS employees only and, in the near future, it will be open for other candidates as well.

The contract covers two years and ensures GMS an annual 60-day access to the training centre’s cutting-edge ship manoeuvring simulator which has been programmed with specially designed training software.  

“The collaboration with Gulf Marine Services confirms our state-of-the-art facilities and service offerings for third-party users and the training centre’s status as a pioneering maritime training provider in the region. The new course for liftboat masters will further add to our portfolio of training programmes which is continuously evolving according to industry demand”, said Capt Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Ports.

“Safety of our personnel offshore is always our top priority and this excellent facility provided by our partner enhances our training and development capabilities a great deal. It allows us to repeat difficult and complex operations until the trainee is well practiced in any given scenario. Our trainee Barge Masters can process several different manoeuvres from the safety of a simulator in one day, this is not possible in the real offshore environment.” adds Duncan Anderson, CEO, GMS.

A liftboat or jackup barge is most commonly used by oil companies as an exploratory drilling platform and therefore a crucial part of the local maritime landscape. It is a mobile device that consists of a buoyant hull fitted with movable and extendable legs.

FIRST RORO VESSEL

In other news, Abu Dhabi Ports has welcomed the first scheduled RoRo vessel to call at the Khalifa Port RORO terminal. The MV Dream Angel berthed at the port on January 5, heralding the transition of Abu Dhabi Ports’ roll-on/roll-off cargo, from Zayed Port to Khalifa Port. The vessel, which is operated by Nissan Motor Car Carrier (NMCC), arrived from the Port of Yokohama and Port of Kanda in Japan and carried cars for Abu Dhabi Ports’ key customer Al Masaood Automobiles.

To mark the first ever visit, the ‘maiden call’ of the MV Dream Angel to Khalifa Port, Abu Dhabi Ports officials welcomed the captain and his crew with an official ceremony and presented a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.