EMEA News
Electronic Interface to Streamline Loading in ARA Region
A Dutch refinery has launched the first multi-party, electronic interface in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) market, which aims to streamline loading in the region, industry news site the Maritime Executive reports.
Zeeland Refinery, a joint venture of Total SA and OAO Lukoil, says the system, CargoDocs for Barges, will improve efficiency by connecting barges' nominations for export directly to the refinery's logistics system and automatically distributing loading details to all participants in the trade chain.
The system was developed by Electronic Shipping Solutions (ESS).
"The move to eNominations via the CargoDocs process brings Zeeland Refinery a step forward in electronic handling of their logistic processes," said Ann Veraverbeke, Manager Valorization for Zeeland Refinery.
"After completing a comprehensive test phase, the nominations for export by barges will from now on be processed via the ESS platform interfacing with the refinery's logistic system."
LITASCO Group, the trading arm of Lukoil, has been using CargoDocs unilaterally for the past 18 months and has worked with Zeeland Refinery and ESS on the multi-party system.
"LITASCO is pushing forward electronic solutions in the ARA barge market to modernize the way we do business," said William Harwood, LITASCO's head of operations.
He added that electronic nominations cut out double input and summary spreadsheets and give companies live information about a nomination.
"Most importantly for prompt invoicing and cash flow it gives immediate notification of barge loadings, not only for the first receiver, but right down the trade chain."
Some traders have complained of loading delays in the ARA region, as well as shortfalls of high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO).
