SAGT selected the Navis terminal system to better optimize existing operations with the ultimate goals of enhancing productivity year-over-year while providing customers with best-in-port service levels.
SAGT, located in the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka, handles an annual TEU throughput in excess of 1.7 million and is rated amongst the top container ports in the world. Strategically positioned on the main East-West shipping route, the terminal links the Far East with Africa, Europe and the East Coast of the U.S. – providing an ideal connection to the trade in the Indian sub-continent.
“In order to keep abreast with the industry demand for optimum efficiency and meet the complex requirements of modern commercial shipping, we place considerable emphasis on the importance of information technology – specifically on real time information,” said Upul Jinadasa, General Manager of IT for SAGT. “Our state-of-the-art IT network features some of the most advanced terminal handling equipment and tracking technology in the world, and we are proud to say that we have successfully completed our transition from Navis’ SPARCS/Express to the N4 TOS, which will support the smooth operation of all terminal activities moving forward. We are continuing to make further improvements to our information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure to ensure we capitalize on the full potential of the N4 system, thereby offering improved service, productivity, efficiency and consistency to our customers.”
SAGT originally made the decision to upgrade from the existing Navis SPARCS to N4 which allows terminal operators to create a more streamlined terminal system, removing localization and customizations that are more efficiently addressed with N4’s enhanced features. The upgrade also allows for easier integration of additional third party tools into the terminal system. SAGT also plans on utilizing N4’s customizable EDI, which allows SAGT customers to map proprietary messages and integrate their own systems into N4, increasing container transparency beyond the terminal throughout the rest of the supply chain.
“The decision for SAGT to transition from SPARCS to N4 came at exactly the right time with increasing volumes and planned expansion of the Port of Colombo and the opportunities for SAGT associated with these developments”,” said Mark Welles, Vice President and General Manager, APAC. “With SAGT’s leading equipment and technology and permanent support from Navis, the terminal is now better equipped to support their business initiatives towards delivering improved services to their customers. As SAGT continues to optimize its operations, we expect them to leverage the high level of flexibility offered by N4 to carry out integration with other systems and streamline the data exchange with the user community. We look forward to continuing our partnership and working to highlight SAGT as a premier terminal in the region.