Westports Holdings Berhad (Westports) launched its new Remote Physical-Check System (RPS) on 9 July, when the Malaysian minister of transport, YB. Datuk Seri Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong made an official visit to Westports Malaysia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westports.
Every container that is being unloaded from or loaded onto a vessel has to be verified at the wharf. The RPS allows the verification process to be performed via video analytic cameras installed on the quay cranes structure instead of having stowage clerks physically walking around container boxes performing the same function onsite at the wharf. Westports RPS is the world’s first in implementing this technology via a wireless network and infrastructure.
Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, group managing director of Westports, remarked that the system was developed at a fraction of the cost compared to some alternatives.
The RPS’ 24/7 video streaming also facilitates weather and pollution proof verification processes.
Westports RPS was developed internally over two years from the proof-of-concept in 2018, to the pilot test in 2019, and finally full-scale gradual implementation in 2020. The Port Klang-based company has already implemented the RPS on 29 units of ship-to-shore cranes and is expected to roll out the full application of the RPS by the end of 2020.
With the RPS, the stowage clerks’ work scope is upgraded, according to an announcement, as RPS clerks can perform the verification process remotely in the comfort of the office environment.
Westports added that verification accuracy improves, while without the need to physically walk around the containers onsite at the wharf, work safety is enhanced, which incidentally improves verification efficiency as the turnaround time to check the containers is reduced by one-third to only 30 seconds.
The digitalisation with the RPS also reduces the need for RPS clerks as one staff can now multitask and perform the verification work of three staff previously, according to a statement. This allows Westports to redeploy and train staff for other areas of operations to support the Company’s growing requirements even as Westports plans for its multi-billion container terminal expansion at Pulau Indah.
“The RPS will also support greater operational efficiency of Westports eventual expanded multi-billion container terminal expansion in the future,” said Datuk Ruben Emir Gnanalingam.
