DP World’s subsidiary World Crane Services (WCS) will be diversifying away from just inspections and offering consultancy services in a new venture.
WCS Consultancy has come about in response to market demand for experienced, specialised advice for terminal operators, port developers, port authorities and government agencies, according to Stewart Lawton, the new general manager of WCS Consultancy.
Lawton told Container News that the idea for the new initiative was created by the continuing market demand and the gap in the market for consultancy services, focussed on terminal operations.
Although there are several big brands of consultancy firms, they do not have “on-the-ground experience”, said Lawton.
The focus of the new project will be on finding practical, bespoke solutions for each customer – whether that be in the initial stages of port planning, or overcoming a long-existing efficiency problem at the terminal.
The initial focus of WCS Consultancy will be on sea-based operations consultancy services, but Lawton told Container News that after dialogue and requests from clients they have decided to expand their future services, including traditional engineering support services available from WCS, advises on terminal finance funding, Information Technology (IT) services supported by DP World and open management operation services.
Furthermore, although marine sector consultancy services were not included in the initial plans, WCS Consultancy is expected to provide marketing commercial, personnel training, project assesment, security management, and sustainability terminal planning services.
Lawton, who pointed out that adaptability and flexibility are the “selling points” of the new project, said there are already discussions with several clients from different regions worldwide, confirming conversations with firms from India and Middle East.
Lawton noted the new company can provide tailor-made solutions and customised packages for its clients. “There are no standard packages, resulting in standard reports and standard outcomes,” he said.
Lawton added the primary aim of WCS Consultancy is to be fully established and recongised in its first year of operation, while its initial customer targets are smaller port operators and authorities.
WCS Consultancy is open to new partnerships and is already in discussions with two IT companies, specialising in terminal operating software and engineering training software respectively.
“We aim to enhance our service ability through partnerships,” highlighted Lawton.
