An electronic platform for booking containers at the MICT and other international ports in Manila, TABS was specifically developed to minimize road traffic and prevent container build-ups especially with the approach of the holiday season.
The new system will ensure a more organized flow of containerized cargoes in and out of the MICT while providing real-time information on container status. Booking an appointment can be done within minutes through three simple steps. After logging in, port users need to upload their container details in the system. The next step is to search for available booking slots within the given time zones, with users having 15 minutes to select their desired zones for each container. Once all the details have been reviewed and finalized, users can then proceed to confirm their appointment.
Booked slots further facilitate service levels and all but eliminate truck queues because the container terminal controls the flow of trucks to and from the terminal. This eliminates the current peaks created by road congestion, truck bans, and other external factors while giving importers and exporters a transparent view of when their trucks are meant to process transactions.
Three days prior to the launch, ICTSI conducted a two-day training to introduce port users to the functionalities and features of TABS. The system was also soft-launched for select user groups early in September for pilot testing.
With container volume expected to increase heading into the Christmas season, TABS’ implementation addresses the unpredictable surge of trucks that ply the city’s roads.
TABS was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Philippine supply chain stakeholders and Australia’s 1-Stop Connections Pty. Ltd.
