The software, called Navis SPARCS N4, unites the terminal’s entire operating system in a single format and provides critical data, in real-time, to its users. At Port of Richmond, which is a barge port leased by the Virginia Port Authority (VPA), the terminal operator will be able to get live information on truck and barge moves.
“Our focus at Richmond was real-time data at the truck gate and pier side using iPads,” said Joe Ruddy, VIT’s chief operating officer. “We’ll be able to transmit and process that data which lets us know current, exact counts on truck moves in and out of the gate and moves on and off the barge. As well, customers with cargo moving across Richmond will know, to the minute, when cargo arrived or departed.”
Richmond is the first marine terminal within the VPA to launch N4. Since 1994, VPA terminals have been using Navis software on legacy systems. The goal, Ruddy said, is to update the systems at the other VPA terminals with N4 and Richmond was a logical start.
“Norfolk International Terminals is much larger (than Richmond) but it has many of the same requirements, so it is a good test and template,” Ruddy said. “We’re focused now on having the update at NIT complete by May 2013 followed by an automated gate and GPS system for locating containers.”
The terminal operator at the Port of Richmond is Delaware-based Port Contractors Inc., or PCI. That company has been managing the day-to-day operations at that port since before the VPA leased the facility in 2011 from the City of Richmond.
