TPT Innovates In Development Of Logistics App For Industry

Transnet Port Terminals’ (TPT) has for the first time, collaborated beyond its primary customers and included first line end users of the import and export industry in developing its mobile application (APP) Cargo Connect. This as a response to calls from industry.

The Cargo Connect APP introduces enhancements that will benefit customers and the broader supply chain by increasing the logistics’ network visibility. Participants of a key stream in the development of the APP included a cargo owner, a clearing and forwarding agent, a transporter, shipping lines as well as information technology providers – all of whom play a significant role in the import and export process.

Approaching the design of the APP through collaboration was a way to improve TPT’s value proposition by becoming a more customer centric business. TPT is halfway into building the Cargo Connect APP having employed the services of global technology leader TATA Consultancy Services (TCS), with the first market release planned for the second quarter of 2021. Developers have been guided by user experience throughout the process.

Insights gathered have demonstrated the need for one source of data due to port users operating as separate entities across the supply chain. There is a level of coordination that the Cargo Connect APP will introduce – influencing each supply chain participant’s business operations and interactions. Some of the APP features include improved and expanded user benefits such as real-time container statuses with information on whether loaded, discharged, released or allocated. With operational notifications pushed to users, customers will have sight of vessel status whether berthing, loading, discharging and the percentage of work completed. The APP will also feature mobile terminal instruction requests such as pre-advise, truck appointments and truck assignments. Included is also a road haulage operating system.

TPT General Manager: Sales and New Business Development, Siyabulela Mhlaluka said, “Cargo Connect is the innovative digital solution that meets customer requirements. South Africa needs an online solution that gives an end to end supply chain view enabling the market to submit logistics related requests on the platform and allow service providers to bid and the preferred proposal to be selected”. He added that with the features that the APP boasts, it could easily be considered a digital marketplace for logistics services.

Mbali Mathenjwa

Executive Manager: Corporate Affairs

Mbali.Mathenjwa@transnet.net

083 279 2651