HONG KONG TERMINAL OPERATORS TO SHARE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM

HONG KONG TERMINAL OPERATORS TO SHARE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM

   Hong Kong’s three major container terminal operators — Hongkong International Terminals, Modern Terminals Ltd. and COSCO-HIT Terminals (Hong Kong) Ltd. — have set up a joint venture to operate a common port information system.

   The joint venture, OnePort Ltd., will provide port users with electronic information and services. It aims to convert current paper operations to electronic operations. The venture expects users to include ocean carriers, shippers, consignees, freight forwarders, third party logistic providers, trucking companies and terminal operators.

   “Currently many processes in the logistics chain are paper-based, requiring the physical movement of documents and multiple entry of the same data into different documents,” said Chi Yuet, general manager of COSCO-HIT.

   OnePort will provide advanced Customs documents services from March. Paperless container exchange services, haulier services and shipping document services will be launched in the third quarter of this year. The system will also allow users to submit advanced manifests to U.S. Customs electronically.