CORDIS Archive

Project Co-ordinator:

TRD International SA

Partners:

A. Rogan Associates Ltd Howard Humphreys Transport Planning
University of Southampton (TRG)
Planet SA
EP-Logistics Oy
University of Ulster
Fondazione Rosselli
Port of Igoumenitsa Port of Ravenna
Harwich International Port
Port of Kokkola Marconsult

Project Duration:

1.1.96 to 28.2.99

Partnership

Objectives

Technical Description

Results and Conclusions

Collaboration Sought

Exploitation and Dissemination Plans

Names and Addresses of the Co-ordinator and all Partners Involved

SMALL/MEDIUM SIZED PORTS WITH HARMONISED, EFFECTIVE RE-ENGINEERED PROCESSES

PARTNERSHIP

OBJECTIVES

The main project objective was to apply the principles of "Business Process Re-engineering" to Small/Medium sized Ports (SMPs), i.e. to redesign the port processes so that these: ·

• are simpler, more effective, transparent and flexible;
• can fully exploit the competencies of modern information/communication technology;
• reflect the general shift from push (supply-driven) to pull (demand-driven) structures and, therefore, can better serve the SMP users.

  On the basis of the re-engineered processes, a generic operational and organisational framework was developed (incorporating infrastructure, service and administration suggestions) for the efficient, reliable and flexible operation of SMPs as transshipment and distribution service centres. This framework supports the integration of SMPs into the Trans-European Network and the effective organisation and management of ports' logistics processes.

  TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

  Initially, SMPs were described as systems and the following requirements were identified for the smooth operation of these systems:

• The requirements of SMP Users (customers' and actors');
• The characteristics, bottlenecks and special requirements of SMP operation;
• The requirements for an effective integration of SMPs into the Trans-European Network (TEN);
• The constraints imposed on the system by the SMP environment (most notably by the legal and institutional framework and the developments of information/communication technology), as well as the opportunities emerging from it.

  In total 56 SMPs and 83 SMP users were surveyed in this phase. An extensive inventory of the port-related legislation was also produced and a critical survey of the telematics applications used in ports and their TEN extensions was undertaken. The remainder of the work was based on the findings of these surveys which covered the situation in the 13 coastal EU Members.

  Generic SMP processes were formulated, mapped in detail and understood in depth. The work then evolved along two main axes:

• The SPHERE process model was constructed having the form of a generic Concern Net, i.e. a hierarchy of factors reflecting port operation and its influencing elements. On the basis of this Net, the SPHERE Simulation System was developed.

• The re-engineering of the selected port processes was performed at a generic level, using a state-of-the-art methodology. This involved questioning the 'assumptions' underlying the current practices and, where necessary, dismantling them and re-building the process on new assumptions.

  The resulting alternative scenarios for the fulfillment of each one of the selected processes were simulated using the developed simulation program. On the basis of the simulation results, the scenarios were evaluated using Multi-Attribute Utility Analysis. This was complemented by a qualitative assessment and discussion of the most important socio-economic impacts of the re-engineering. In addition to the actual evaluation of the SPHERE results, a framework for evaluating the re-engineering of port processes was developed.

  On the basis of the evaluation results, generic suggestions for re-engineered operation were developed, complemented by general guidelines for managing the transition period and suggestions for a more effective integration in /adaptation to the framework of small-medium enterprises.

  The project was concluded with an investigation of the possibility of applying the findings and conclusions of SPHERE in a real-life pilot.

  RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

  The final SPHERE suggestions for the operation and organisation of SMPs were based on the following principles:

  a. The port community operates as a Value System, i.e. many of its members work together, in a climate of close co-operation and trust, to satisfy the ultimate customer.

  b. Information Technology is used as an enabler and not as the main driver, i.e. no new technology is suggested and no process is changed just because the technology exists to enable this change. Processes are changed because they have much 'waste' built-in and modern technology enables the definitive elimination of this 'waste'.

  c. The cargo is always 'moving', unless it has to be stored. It is not delayed to wait for:

  • the accompanying information and documents; information can and should be available before the cargo is;
  • controls and inspections to be carried out; when controls and inspections cannot be avoided, they should be performed without disrupting cargo movement.

  d. Integration of information flows by:

  • linking as many entities as possible
  • operating on the basis of data access rather than data transfer, and
  • eliminating the importance of intermediaries as regards information diffusion.

  e. Management by exception (only deviations from planned are reported)

  f. The more advanced the technological solution selected, the wider must the VS scope be, so that the solution is financially justifiable and compatibility of the technological applications used is ensured.

  These suggestions, being generic, are not equally applicable to all ports. Therefore, a set of tools was also developed to assist ports in understanding how they should apply Port Process Re-engineering (PPR) and how far they can progress it according to their particular operating conditions and business environment. This set of tools, the generic suggestions and an outline of the theoretical background form one of the main 'end-products' of the project, the SPHERE Toolbox for Port Process Re-engineering. The set also includes:

• guidelines for managing the transition period;
• methodology and spreadsheets for the assessment of the current and re-engineered operation based on Multi-Attribute Utility Techniques;
• a check list to be used for the preparation of a PPR project ('route map').

  The second main 'end-product' of the project is the SPHERE Simulation System. The Program is Windows-based and simulates the port processes as the flow of commodities through the port in relation to the whole port environment. The simulation system is used:

• initially to build the computer model of the port under investigation
• to validate and calibrate this model in an interactive process; and then
• to simulate the operation of the port using the model built with the simulator.

  In comparison with other simulation systems, it is unique in as much that it is totally generic and, although written for small and medium sized ports, the system has the potential and the advantage to depict and simulate the operation of any port. It can be customised to such an extent that sea ports, river ports, inland ports and freight centres can be dealt with.

  COLLABORATION SOUGHT

  Collaboration would assist mainly in further developing the SPHERE 'products' or disseminating the PPR concepts. Therefore, the following collaboration types would be welcome:

• Small/medium sized ports to apply and validate as pilots the developed operational and organisational framework;
• Larger ports which would co-operate with the Consortium in enhancing the developed framework to cover the need of all ports;
• Small/medium sized ports to organise workshops where the PPR concept and tools would be presented to the port communities.
• Software developers to assist in further developing and commercialising the SPHERE Simulation System prototype.

  EXPLOITATION AND DISSEMINATION PLANS

  Exploitation plans involve:

• packaging and selling the SPHERE Toolbox as a stand-alone commercial product;
• provision of consulting services in PPR, using the SPHERE Toolbox as a tool;
• further development of the SPHERE Toolbox in order to improve its market positioning and pilot application to create a successful 'paradigm';
• development of the SPHERE Simulator prototype into a commercial version, so that it can be sold either with or without the SPHERE Toolbox.

  In addition, a series of dissemination activities are planned as follows:

• distribution of informative material to as many ports as possible as well as to prominent members of their port communities, port associations, other associations of port users and actors;
• organisation of events or workshops in ports, open to all members of the port community;
• distribution of the SPHERE Final Report to organisations or individuals who have shown interest in and assisted the project work, ports involved in modernisation projects, and other contacts made during the project's life;
• articles and papers on special themes of the SPHERE approach, in technical and vocational journals and other publications.

  NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF THE CO-ORDINATOR AND ALL PARTNERS INVOLVED

  Contact Person	Company	Address	Telephone	Fax	E-mail
  Prof. G.A. Giannopoulos/ Ms K. Papageorgiou	TRD International (Project Co-ordinator)	41, D. Gounari 546 22 Thessaloniki, Greece	+30-31-283702, 20824	+30-31-242337	trtn@hyper.gr trkp@hyper.gr
  Dr. A. Rogan	Rogan Associates	9, Valetta Str. 15771 Zografos Athens, Greece	+30-1-7782405, 783958	+30-1-7750629	rogan@matrix.kapatel.gr
  Mr. R. Burton	Howard Humphreys	Hill Park Court Springfield Drive Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 7NL, UK	+44-1372-863499 (switchboard: +44-1372-865000)	+44-1372-863355	Robert.Burton@ halliburton.com
  Dr. R.D. Hall	TRG, University of Southampton	Transportation Research Group Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK	+44-1703-592192 or direct: +44-1703-592174	+44-1703-593152	rdh@soton.ac.uk
  Mr. N. Manolopoulos ,	PLANET	Apollon Tower 64, Louise Riancourt Str. 115 23 Athens, Greece	+30-1-6905000	+30-1-6981885	nikos@planet.gr
  Mr. S. Holmberg	EP Logistics Oy	Tehtaankatu 29A Helsinki, 00150, Finland	+358-9-1344531 (13445346)	+358-9-13445300	Seppo.Holmberg@ ep-logistics.fi
  Dr. F.A. Schmidt	University of Ulster	Shore Road Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, Northern Ireland, UK	+44-1232-365131 ext. 6221 or direct: +44-1232-366221	+44-1232-366826	fa.schmidt@ulst.ac.uk
  Prof. S. Campodall'Orto/ Dr. B. Ghiglione	Fondazione Rosselli	Via Soncino1 Milano 20123, Italy	+39-02-86451320	+39-02-89010995	fondazione.rosselli@iol.it
  Mr. V. Dais	Port of Igoumenitsa	Limeniko Tameio, Palaio Limani 46100 Igoumenitsa, Greece	+30-665-23870	+30-665-22369
  Mr. L. Valbonesi	SAPIR (Port of Ravenna)	Darsena San Vitale Ravenna 48100, Italy	+39-0544-289711/ 289783	+39-0544-289901	sapirmkg@tin.it
  Mr. T. Davies	Harwich International Port	Parkenston Quay Harwich, CO12 4SR, UK	+44-1255-242000	+44-1255-241400	davies.t@harwich- intl-port.co.uk
  Mr. H. Renlund/ Mr. T. Witting	Port of Kokkola	Satamakatu 53 67900 Kokkola,Finland	+358-6-822 6295	+358-6-822 1438	Torbjorn.Witting@ kokkola.kpnet.fi