Breakbulk, coming of age in a digital world

Integrating Data for Multipurpose Cargo

The TBA Group has developed software to solve this complex task. Glynn Thomas, Sales Consultant for the group explains, “TBA Group’s CommTrac, Terminal Operating Software (TOS) for multipurpose terminals, enables terminal operators to plan, track and manage inventory, people and assets (manned/automated) across the terminal, or terminal network, in real-time. CommTrac provides the tools, control and management information to optimize operations.” This software allows the breakbulk operator to reduce risk, ensure compliance and maximize growth potential and profitability. According to TBA Group, “CommTrac is configurable to the requirements of the end-user and can manage all commodities and storage types.”

According to Thomas, this would include Steel (bars, beams, and coils), Timber (as boards, logs, or palletized), Paper (rolls or pulp), Bulk type commodities (loose, in bags) and all other types of unitized cargo. Profitability is increased by reducing demurrage through higher equipment utilization, reducing pilferage and waste. Administrative costs are reduced by increasing operational efficiency and higher throughput. This integrated software allows for the capture of all billable activity around the terminal and reduces cargo claims caused by loss and contamination.

“…CommTrac’s strength is in its ability to integrate with 3rd party software, such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) for finance, PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) and SCADA for automation, RFID for locations or weighbridge integration for real-time inventory management. This integration allows stakeholders to be proactive in their decision making with real-time information at hand.” Thomas went on to explain, “Inventory can be easily tracked with CommTrac for unitized cargo, utilizing handheld bar code scanners, and for bulk commodities, via weighbridge, belt scale or weigh hoppers. This gives the operators, management, and customers an accurate real-time view of their inventory and respective storage locations. The web-based application allows devices with a web browser and correct permission …access to the system”. Thomas continued, “Not only does this facilitate direct access for ‘on the ground’ operators, it also allows customers, and agents, access to key information around vessel progress, inventory, collections and deliveries via the TOS.”

Challenges Facing Breakbulk Automation

While TBA Group continues to make progress in digitizing cargo handling, they also recognize the challenges inherent in this process. Digital conversion of manual records is required for large amounts of data involving the terminal and ship, across many IT platforms.

A calculation of service costs must be adopted between multiple levels of cargo movement, connecting the ship to the terminal, or within the warehouse and yard and with the gating of cargo in or out of the facility. To add to this challenge, many breakbulk terminals have smaller operating budgets than their sisters in the container world. Will breakbulk facilities find it economical to digitize operations? With smaller footprints, the need to automate may not seem necessary if throughput inventories remain fairly constant.

Finally, as breakbulk facilities continue to develop closer ties to their cargo owners, will there be any need to adopt higher levels of inventory control? This may be especially true in the movement of certain types of logs and lumber or where project managers have a firm handle on what is moving through a particular facility. Raw material makes up a good portion of the breakbulk cargo. When overseas markets heat up and cargo is plentiful, terminals that can deliver on the value-added service inherent in digitized terminal operating systems may win a larger market share among competing facilities.