Kingston Wharf 75th Anniversary

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 28 it’s also about the location of the inventory. Large multinational busi- nesses aremoving away fromhaving these global brick-and-mortar ware- housestohavingregionalwarehouses. Jamaica presents a solid alternative, based on our position along global trading routes,”the CEOobserves. He adds: “What COVID has taught us is that logistics is extremely impor- tant. So our vision for this segment is to continue to invest appropriately to enable the business to evolve into a world-class business sector catering to local, regional and international players,”MrWilliams says. The way forward, the CEO notes, is establishing strong partnerships, having not just warehousing infra- structure, but 3PL and 4PL solutions to add value to cargo and meet cli- ents’ customised requirements. KingstonWharves iswell advanced in its plans to capitalise on the op- portunities in the logistics market. “We have extensive experience in 3PL and 4PL service, but our goal is to far exceed what we have already achieved. In addition to looking at establishingmorewarehouses, we are looking at expanding our provision of inventory management services, offering customised solutions and foraying intonewtransportationmo- dalities beyond sea,”the CEO reveals. At the start of 2020, Kingston Wharves acquired its SEZ designa- tion which, Mr Williams observes, will figure prominently in its plans for logistics services. “Similar to the free zone, thisdesignationprovidesuswith the option to offer certain business solutions that would not have been available to us had we not received this designation.” A key component of the ground- work laid was the company’s 160,000-square-foot Total Logistics Facility (TLF) warehouse complex, which Kingston Wharves officially opened in 2018. This development brought KWL’s totalwarehousecapac- ityandstorageto340,000sqft.TheTLF wasconstructedatacostofUS$20mil- lionandhas been instrumental in the company’sentry into logistics services. In addition to providing handling for full container load (FCL) and less- than-container load (LCL), the TLF has allowed Kingston Wharves to get involved in integrated logistics services, including postponement services, order fulfilment, order picking and packing, inventory management and warehousing and return, among other services. “We have invested in our TLF, which forms the platform for a real substantive launch into logistics. Prior to that, we would have had several warehouses, but not inter- nationally competitive,”MrWilliams says, adding that there are plans in train to construct other warehouses in Kingston and other locations. Equal to establishing KWL’s foot- print in Jamaica and the wider re- gion is getting the right people and streamlining the company’s business processes. Against this background, the CEO reports that as part of this human resource preparation, three KWL employees are participating in a logistics training course with the Port of Antwerp in Belgium this year. MrWilliams discloses that Kingston Wharves also plans to invest heavily in technology to drive efficiency in its logistics services. “Logistics has moved away fromhaving largework- force to having right-size workforce, with technology adding value and solutions,”he elaborates. The company has a well-devel- oped inventory management sys- tem, which will be enhanced by technology. “So wherever you are in the world, you can access your inventory real-time, and place your orders from your smartphone. That is the platformwe are going to build on. It is less paper, less physical la- bour, and more use of IT solutions. Another vision is to make more use of artificial intelligence for greater efficiency; this is the way of the fu- ture,” the CEO notes. COVID-19 has caused KWL to re-evaluate somedevelopment plans, but the company has onlypivoted to- wards seeking todiversify its avenues for achievinggrowthandprofitability. “The great thing is that Kingston Wharves is not starting fromground zero. We have a solid foundation on which to build. We are in acquisition mode as a strategy to grow the busi- ness, and the sky is the limit,” the CEO declares. FUTURE CONTINUED FROM 27 KINGSTON WHARVES 75TH ANNIVERSARY ACROSS THE globe, ports are being powered by automation and digital innovation. The technological infrastructure and connectivity of port terminals have risen in importance, equalling that of its physical infrastructure and equipment stock. KingstonWharves Limited has taken steps to be in the forefront of this digital revolution in the terminal and logistics industry, using technology to drive efficiency in its terminal operations functions, including vessel and yardmanagement, warehouse operations and inventory management, port security, com- mercial activities and customer engagement. VESSEL MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING Thecompanyhasinvestedinafullyautomated terminal operating system (TOS). The system drives vessel planning, traffic, inventorymanage- ment and gate movements of all containerised cargo. The TOS is also integrated with various systems such as the port community system. “Today the ports knowway in advance the cargo en route to its terminal, which contain- ers are at their final destination, and those that are to be trans-shipped. These systems have helped to eliminate the use of paper – the storing of physical files and printed data throughout the organisation,” notes Valrie Campbell, terminal manager. WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS AND INVENTORY MANAGEMENT Kingston Wharves also invested in an up- graded digital port management system in 2016 that is driving its warehouse operations. This system facilitates the physical storing and locating of warehouse inventory, facili- tates payment collections and cashiering, and manages manifests and administration flow for full container load, less-than- container load (LCL) and motor vehicle cargo. “The system is at the core of our operations and, therefore, interfaces with a number of other applications utilised within KWL and the wider port industry,” explained Lance Green, information communication specialist at KWL. KWL utilises digital hand-held devices using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to track the motor vehicle inventory it manages. Extensive Wi-Fi coverage, with hotspots deployed throughout the company’s terminal and facilities, makes it possible to use RFID technology and other digital equipment in operations 24 hours per day. PORT SECURITY One of the key markers of the effectiveness of a port is its security apparatus. KWL has made every effort to bolster its security, using technological tools to protect port users and safeguard the integrity of the cargo passing through its terminal and its other facilities. CCTV infrastructure and devices manned by trained security professionals are strategically placed throughout the terminal, warehouse and other facilities. Digital scanning equipment, or VACIS scanners, managed by the Port Authority of Jamaica, also help to stem the flow of con- traband into the island. Shipments entering Jamaica via KWL facilities must pass through this system. DRIVING E-COMMERCE For the convenience of customers, Kingston Wharves has introduced a suite of e-payment options. The KW mobile app, introduced in 2018, allows KWL’s customers to pay for any shipment from anywhere at any time, once they have their bills of lading number. The app is one of a number of e-platforms making it convenient for customers to do business with KWL. Available from the Google Play Store to Android users, it was recently upgraded in line with customer recommen- dations. The app has added to other options such as bank transfers and KWL e-payment that provides customers with an official login they can use to access the platform to pay for their shipments. In 2019, Kingston Wharves rolled out an online appointment system for LCL shipments, which enables customers who are clearing goods through its warehouses to make an appointment. The platform has effectively managed the flow of customers attending KWL. KWL is also in the process of rolling out a new tool that will give cus- tomers the option to fast-track their cargo clearance. “With the onset of COVID-19, more cus- tomers are being encouraged to make use of e-options because they offer a safer, more convenient way to conduct business,” ob- served Simone Murdock, corporate affairs and customer experience manager. Due to its technological investments, Kingston Wharves is now an active player in the port community system (PCS) for the port of Kingston. Managed through the Port Authority of Jamaica, PCS provides a digi- tal interface for entities involved in the car- go-clearance process to communicate and share data, including the posting of manifests for a seamless procedure. “Technology changes so quickly, KWL has to be constantly on the move to not only keep abreast, but also to stay one step ahead. That is the only way we will keep our cutting edge, become a smarter port, and continue to meet and exceed customer expectations,” Mrs Murdock declared. POWERED BY DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY Tinson Pen