Duqm Port outlines vision for ‘smart port’

MUSCAT, NOV 18 - Port of Duqm plans to shortly appoint a consultancy firm to assist in the proposed transformation of the gateway into a ‘smart port’, characterised by automated terminals, truck appointment systems, integrated port community systems, use of big data, and so on. To this end, the first of many tenders will be floated early next year for the appointment of a consultant to assist in the implementation of smart projects at the port, according to a key port executive. Talal al Barwani, Sales and Marketing Specialist, said: “In line with global trends, we are trying to have a smart port where, through an app for example, we want to link all of the agents, custom, shippers and so on, to facilitate the easier flow of trucks and goods through the port. In 2018, we are appointing a consultant to start on the smart projects. For our part, we are travelling to ports around the world to see some of the best innovations that we can bring down to Duqm that can facilitate traffic and goods flows,” Al Barwani stated at a business forum held in the city recently. Timelines drawn up by the port envisage the floating of a consultancy tender — aimed at aligning all of the stakeholders, examining best practices, as well as preparing tender documents — in the first quarter of 2018. A contract award is slated during the second quarter of the year. Key considerations in its upgrade into a ‘smart port’ include the roll-out of a Port Community System (PCS) that seeks to link all stakeholders — customs, agents, shippers and so on — into one online system. Also envisioned are truck appointment systems to improve productivity and efficiency, automatic gate control, terminal automation to reduce human / machine interface, crane automation, trunk radio communication, and use of big data for efficiency and optimisation. Furthermore, as an ‘open port’ sans boundaries but with security controlled by systems, the port is looking at OCR, RFID, geo-fencing, drones, and other tech-based options. Augmented reality is proposed for training purposes as well. Set up as a joint venture between the Omani government and the Port of Antwerp in Belgium, Port of Duqm Company (PDC) currently wears “four hats”, said Al Barwani, referring to its four distinctive roles that form part of its regulatory, administrative and operational portfolio. In addition to its primary function as the port authority, PDC also presently operates the commercial quay, oversees the industrial and logistics zones within its jurisdiction as landlord, and also serves as the focal point for investors seeking to set up operations within the port’s concessions. He noted however that PDC’s role as terminal operator is temporary, with specialist third-party players due to come on board in a few years from now when dedicated terminals at the commercial quay are fully developed. The 2.2 km commercial quay currently under construction envisions two container terminals, and one multipurpose and bulk terminal each. However, in trend with recent port developments around the world, terminal capacity for roll-on/roll-on traffic as well as the handling of naval ships, will be factored into the construction of the commercial quay, he said. Conrad Prabhu