Port & Terminal News
Standardisation for APMT
Wed, 7 Apr 2010
APM Terminals has announced that it will introduce a standardised approach to terminal equipment and construction. The Netherlands-headquartered operator said that standardisation would result in improved financial performance for its Global Terminal Network.
With more than 50 terminals worldwide, APMT believes that improved economies of scale in consolidated orders to equipment manufacturers, and the simplification of training for equipment operators and other personnel can provide significant savings for its portfolio.
“Customers are looking for simplified, reliable and cost-effective service to compete in the market,” said Peder Sondergaard, APM Terminals’ senior VP and head of New Terminals in The Hague. “Our terminal design, development and procurement must reflect this.”
The company also highlighted the streamlining of repairs and reduced investment required in spare part inventories as representing significant opportunities for cost cutting in an increasingly competitive business environment.
“We will discuss practical requirements and establish standards with the functional experts such as terminal operations personnel, crane and engineering services, and design engineers,” explained Morten Mortensen, the firm’s head of procurement. “Then we will take this standard commercially to market and source, negotiate and contract with suppliers.”
The company is expected to standardise the types, sizes and specifications of various assets, such as STS and RTG cranes, mobile lifting equipment, reefer racks, as well as computer and communications equipment.
APMT pointed out that such a standardised approach is not yet in practice to any significant extent in the terminal operating industry. Benefits might include the easy transfer of needed assets between facilities as required.
It would also allow common standards for benchmarking of optimum yard design, lighting and equipment configurations. A reduced environmental footprint through energy saving equipment is also targeted.
With more than 50 terminals worldwide, APMT believes that improved economies of scale in consolidated orders to equipment manufacturers, and the simplification of training for equipment operators and other personnel can provide significant savings for its portfolio.
“Customers are looking for simplified, reliable and cost-effective service to compete in the market,” said Peder Sondergaard, APM Terminals’ senior VP and head of New Terminals in The Hague. “Our terminal design, development and procurement must reflect this.”
The company also highlighted the streamlining of repairs and reduced investment required in spare part inventories as representing significant opportunities for cost cutting in an increasingly competitive business environment.
“We will discuss practical requirements and establish standards with the functional experts such as terminal operations personnel, crane and engineering services, and design engineers,” explained Morten Mortensen, the firm’s head of procurement. “Then we will take this standard commercially to market and source, negotiate and contract with suppliers.”
The company is expected to standardise the types, sizes and specifications of various assets, such as STS and RTG cranes, mobile lifting equipment, reefer racks, as well as computer and communications equipment.
APMT pointed out that such a standardised approach is not yet in practice to any significant extent in the terminal operating industry. Benefits might include the easy transfer of needed assets between facilities as required.
It would also allow common standards for benchmarking of optimum yard design, lighting and equipment configurations. A reduced environmental footprint through energy saving equipment is also targeted.
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