APM Terminals is accelerating its Application Programming Interface (API) roll-out aiming to speed up the flow of containers through its terminals, saying it will provide greater data coverage and new APIs.
An API is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other, and APM Terminals’ APIs connect a customer’s own transport or logistics planning system with real-time data from a terminal’s terminal operating system (TOS).
APM Terminals has also made empty container tracking possible through a new empty container returns API, which means that customers can track the complete life cycle of a container, including the date and time it was gated in at a terminal.
Furthermore, APIs remove the need to look up or submit information manually via a separate system, such as Track & Trace for container tracking or a separate online Truck Appointment system for appointments.
Removing the need for manual intervention is anticipated to save man-hours, speed up the process and increase accuracy, according to a statement. Additionally, the global port and terminal operator noted that access to the latest data available in the supply chain could allow customers to improve planning, reduce delays and help meet customer expectations.
Recently, APM Terminals has added data for its Moroccan Medport Tangier terminal to its range of APIs, bringing the total number of terminals supported by its container tracking and vessel schedule API data feeds to 18.
Hence, the company now offers a complete range of APIs to provide real-time data for all aspects of vessel and container tracking, including vessel schedules, import availability, container event history and export booking enquiry in these terminals.
APM Terminals’ Truck Appointment API was also rolled out for its facilities in Gothenburg, Sweden and Vado Ligure, Italy.
This is expected to enable customers to perform appointment tasks, such as viewing available time slots, creating, updating and cancelling appointments, as well as producing a list of appointments, appointment information and updates for a requested timeframe, according to the announcement.
“Managing all aspects of the logistic chain in a single system improves productivity enormously and simplifies the logistics process for employees managing thousands of transactions each day,” commented Markus Ekwall, department head at GDL Sjöcontainer AB, the first customer to implement APM Terminals’ Truck Appointment API.
