MANILA, Philippines - To ease traffic and port congestion in preparation for the Christmas season, the innovative online Terminal Appointment Booking System (TABS) will be implemented starting tomorrow at Manila’s South Harbor to keep the movement of goods flowing.
Registered users have started booking port transactions online with much ease and convenience ahead of the system’s full implementation, according to Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI), operator of South Harbor.
Online transactions are being made after port users underwent training sessions and the TABS was successfully piloted last month.
Based on time zones spread throughout a 24-hour period, the web-based system allows brokers, forwarders, importers/exporters and shipping line representatives to schedule the withdrawal and delivery of containers at Manila ports.
The system orderly drives the flow of trucks on roads and allows greater operational predictability and efficiency at the terminal for a robust supply chain.
Developed by Australia’s 1-Stop Connections Pty Ltd., TABS is the same booking system used by DP World’s marine terminals in Australia.
Using TABS is simple and follows three basic steps: logging-in using a secure username and password and uploading container details into TABS; searching time slots best suitable for the withdrawal or delivery of containers by dragging and dropping these onto specific time zones; and booking confirmation.
With an approved booking confirmation, a truck that a consignee assigns just has to show up at the terminal on the scheduled time to pick up or deliver containers. Booking can be done in as little as five minutes.
To access the system, the user simply needs to register online by visiting http://1-stop.com.ph/ and complete the online enrollment sheet.
For system activation, the broker needs to submit a copy of BIR Form 2303 to ATI.
The form and other customer inquiries can be emailed to customersupport@asianterminals.com.ph.
ATI has also developed the country’s first mobile application for international containerized cargo called Mobile Port, or simply MPort.
Through MPort, customers can access useful terminal information like expected and actual time of vessel arrivals and departures, container track and trace, truck plate inquiry and cargo clearance notifications, among others on a real-time basis.
ATI has also boosted its e-payment facility in partnership with Metrobank, Banco de Oro, Unibank and Security Bank.
Through ATI’s e-payment system, customers can conveniently pay arrastre, stevedoring and storage fees anytime, anywhere 24/7 using online computers, tablets or smartphones.
TABS and the revitalized web-based systems are all aimed to deliver fast, safe and convenient port services to ATI’s customers.