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SINGAPORE : There is now an integrated communication system for the transport of containers within Singapore.
The S$3 million Containerised Traffic System (CTS) will not only cut costs by 30 percent due to faster turnaround, but will also improve security.
Singapore carries some 150,000 containers on its shores at any one time, and prime movers are responsible for taking them to their final destination on land.
Previously, hauliers used radios and mobile phones to process and track deliveries, which sometimes results in miscommunication and job losses.
With the new CTS, these heavy vehicles are now connected to the wider port operations and transport system.
Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, said, "With one seamless, integrated paperless system for clearance, planning and real time communication between all the ports, all the container depots and all the hauliers and their drivers in Singapore, we will be able to accommodate tremendous increases in container traffic and put ourselves ahead of the competition."
Prime movers have been equipped with a mobile data device and GPS tracker to enable them to communicate with each other, the container depots and the port, including the terminal at Pasir Panjang.
So far, about 32 percent of the 3,000 prime movers across Singapore have been equipped, and SPRING Singapore said it hopes more will be integrated progressively.
Except for some very small hauliers, SPRING Singapore expects about 90 percent of the industry to adopt the new system.
Small hauliers may not be willing to bear the cost of equipping their small fleet with the mobile data device and GPS tracker.
The hardware cost is about S$2,000 and companies pay S$20 to S$30 each month for each vehicle.
Victor Tay, Director (Transport), SPRING Singapore, said, "Three years later, we're probably looking towards the entire system to expand towards yard management system, pre-gating scheduling; what it means is that the vehicle then is able to get into the port facilities...go into the container depot with an automated security clearance."
SPRING Singapore said, this system can eventually be used by other land transport vehicles like trucks.
The system is spearheaded by the Container Depot, Singapore Logistics and Singapore Transport Associations. - CNA/ms
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