Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) in Gdynia, Poland has joined the European Union (EU)-backed “Enhancing Coordination in multimodal freight transport in Central Europe” COMODALCE project, which is expected to boost its intermodal rail operations.
BCT’s participation in the COMODALCE initiative comes after a series of measures that have combined to increase intermodal rail traffic by approximately 30% of BCT’s annual container throughput.
BCT currently processes 250 intermodal trains operated by 13 intermodal operators on a monthly basis.
BCT’S market reach via rail includes all major destinations in Poland and extends along the trans-European Baltic – Adriatic Corridor (Corridor VI). This runs from Gdynia via southern Poland (Upper Silesia), Vienna and Bratislava and the Eastern Alpine region right through to Northern Italy, serving diverse industrialised centres en route.
COMODALCE finds its origins in the “Docks of the Future” scheme, funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, which aims to achieve the digitalisation of the procedures for rail transport at a transnational level in Central Europe.
BCT is a key participant in the pilot project work, according to an announcement, as it aims to introduce an electronic data interchange platform for rail wagons and the allied handling activity.
This involves two main challenges, said the Port of Gdynia; the integration of BCT’s Terminal Operating System (TOS) with the INCOS element of the Gdynia Port Community System and transitioning traditional methods of communication, such as paper documents, phones, and faxes, into a modern electronic format.
INCOS, a networking system, which is now under construction, will connect with the operating systems of all stakeholders, including terminals, intermodal operators, railway carriers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, etc., and offers an “easy, flexible and low-cost method of connection that enables all parties to feed the platform with data using electronic messages,” according to the port’s announcement.
“This, in turn, facilitates the prompt generation of highly accurate operational plans for each of the system users as required,” added Gdynia port.
Data can be uploaded and downloaded without long waiting times or the requirement to rewrite the data and COMODALCE will deliver a clear and efficient operational plan with online participants having a concise picture of the current situation in real time.
In the case of stakeholders that are not ready for digital exchange, the platform will offer a web user interface able to provide for the high-volume upload and download of excel spread sheets.
“For BCT and other system users, COMODALCE represents a major area of opportunity to drive cost and qualitative efficiencies across the board,” underlined Wojciech Szymulewicz, BCT chief executive officer, who went on to say, “It presents a new dimension through which we can further streamline intermodal train reception and despatch. Its introduction alongside continuing innovation in the areas of infrastructure and equipment promises to deliver big dividends with significant benefits passing on to importers and exporters.”
BCT’s intermodal rail facilities have benefitted from a major investment programme, implemented jointly by the Port of Gdynia Authority and International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), BCT’s parent company.
