The Port of Rotterdam Authority has launched a new application allowing shippers and freight forwarders to see where their containers are located at any given moment. The system is called ‘Boxinsider’ and was launched on Thursday 3 October.

“When I order a book online, I can almost follow the package live. With Boxinsider, we are now presenting a similar solution for containers”, explains CEO Allard Castelein. Most shippers, freight forwarders and others currently collect location information information manually from a range of websites. That is time-consuming and error-prone, and hence it could result in planning errors with costly consequences.

Precise data

Drawing on status information from container vessels and inland and deep-sea terminals, Boxinsider tracks containers and determines expected and actual arrival and departure times for vessels, as well as container unloading and departures at container terminals. Users are warned about any delays or disruptions.

ABC Logistics from Poeldijk is one of the ‘launching customers’ and has seen the benefits of the system. “Boxinsider gives us – quickly and with minimal effort – a clear picture of the containers that we can expect at the various Rotterdam terminals”, says account manager Remco Verwaal. “It really is a very user-friendly application.”

Smart port

Boxinsider works as a stand-alone application but it can also be integrated with existing systems using a link.
“By developing digital applications, we are making our port even more efficient, safer and more reliable. Solutions like Boxinsider are good examples of this transition and so they are a perfect match with our ambition to be the world’s smartest port”, said Castelein.