PACT a service for agents and terminals
Port of Amsterdam works together with chain partners in the Amsterdam port region to reduce delays in the port. One of the initiatives is the service PACT.
Advantages PACT
- Terminals: less phone traffic
- Agents: less phone traffic
- Port of Amsterdam: less over-ordering
Cooperation by sharing data
PACT is a service on the online port portal MyPort for outgoing ocean vessels from agents and terminals in the Amsterdam port. By cleverly sharing data with each other, we make the port more predictable and aim to reduce delays. The initiative was born during a Port Performance Meeting (PPM), a periodic consultation with Port of Amsterdam and the companies in the port. PACT is in use since April 2023.
Procedure PACT
Participants give with PACT an update earlier in the ordering process when they have started the last step of their operational process. This is the so-called ETCF90% (Estimated Time Cargo Finished 90%). The agent receives a notification of this and is not allowed to place an order until he receives this notification. By order we mean ordering pilots and tugs and reserving the lock.
For the use of the service there is a PACT manual (in Dutch). You can also watch the demo's for the terminal and agent.
Added value for participants
The added value for the terminals is that they can plan longer in advance and less telephone traffic is needed with the agent. This is partly due to the fact that the ETCF90% is used very consciously. For the agent, the added value is less telephone traffic. However, telephone traffic is still necessary to be able to do the work. For Port of Amsterdam, the added value is less over-ordering so that the locks, pilotage and tugs can be used more efficiently. In this way, together we reduce delays in the port.
Participants list
Terminals: Evos East, Evos West, Exolum, VTTI, Zenith
Agents: LBH, Maripro, Mariteam Shipping, Vertom, Wilhelmsen
Implementation PACT
From 14 April 2023, actual implementation will take place in phases at terminals and agents. Around the summer, there will be feedback to stakeholders on implementation progress and initial user results.
Questions or interest?
Do you have questions, comments or interest among terminals and agents? Let us know via email to myport@portofamsterdam.com
Frequently asked questions PACT
PACT stands for Port of Amsterdam Collaboration Tool and is a service for outgoing sea vessels from agents and terminals in the Amsterdam port. By sharing smart data, we make the port more predictable. Terminals provide updates in PACT earlier in the ordering process. Namely when the ship is 90% loaded. This is the so-called ETCF90% (Estimated Time Cargo Finished 90%). The agent receives an e-mail from this with the ETS (Estimated Time Of Sailing) and may only place an order when he receives this notification. By order we mean ordering pilots and tugs and reserving the lock. With this working method, we increase the predictability of the Amsterdam port.
PACT is for the terminals and agents operating in the Amsterdam port.
- For all users of the Amsterdam port, the advantage is that the port becomes more predictable. The more terminals and agents work this way, the better it is for predictability.
- For the terminals, the added value is that they can plan longer in advance and less phone traffic is needed with the agent.
- For the agent, the added value is less phone traffic. However, telephone traffic is still needed to do the job.
- For Port of Amsterdam, the added value is less overordering, allowing more efficient use of locks, pilotage and tugs.
There is no cost to participate. MyPort is a Port of Amsterdam port portal where the services are free. So PACT is also free.
Are you a terminal or agent working in the Amsterdam port and interested? Please send an email to myport@portofamsterdam.com with your request. You can also do it via the contact form at contact.
We will then include you in our planning. This is because we are doing participation in phases. Until summer 2023, oil terminals and affiliated agents will join PACT. In autumn 2023, we want the remaining terminals and agents to join.
To participate, you need a MyPort account. Don't have an account yet? Then create one right away. Then you will already have that taken care of and you can already use the other services on MyPort.
Participating with PACT has advantages and no disadvantages. Sometimes we get the question of: "What if I confirm the ETD later, as per the PACT agreements and all the services are occupied, what then?" Then we can assure you that in practice, this situation does not occur. This is because traffic control also takes into account the pre-notification in Portbase, including the provisional ETD, for scheduling orders. As soon as you confirm the ETD according to the PACT agreements, the actual order takes place.
If you go to all applications on your MyPort home page, you will see PACT listed. Ticking the asterisk will put PACT on your dashboard.
You only see your own vessels. So as an agent, you only see your vessels and not the vessels of other agents. As terminal, you only see the vessels at your berth(s), if they are officially moored at the quay.
Note: vessels at public berths are not shown in PACT because we cannot filter them by agent or terminal (yet).
Finally, in the overview the cancelled vessels are now also listed. We are working on removing the cancelled vessels from the overview.
In PACT, the status of movement of the ship is indicated. The statuses are Arrival, Departure, In Port or Shift(ing).
ETCF90% stands for Expected Time Cargo Finished 90%. In other words, when the ship is 90% loaded. In practice, this is the last step in the operational process. The terminal indicates this in PACT and then the agent receives an e-mail.
You can specify the extra time at ETCF90% exactly in the free field. That means you can also specify the extra time on a quarter-hour basis, for example: 0.15.
ETS stands for Expected Time of Sailing. This is the time the terminal indicates in PACT when it thinks the vessel is ready for departure. In any case, this is the ETCF90% time with the additional time required for any other operations. The agent receives an e-mail with the ETS time and can then order.
Feedback is always welcome. Pleae email your feedback to myport@portoamsterdam.com. Then we will pick it up immediately.
If you have another question about PACT, we would be more than happy to hear from you!
Send an email to myport@portofamsterdam.com and we will help you further.