Port of Richmond Becomes First Virginia Marine Terminal to Implement Navis SPARCS N4

June 27th, 2012 - 06:00 am ET by Business Wire

Port of Richmond Becomes First Virginia Marine Terminal to Implement Navis SPARCS N4Implementation Serves as a Critical Stepping Stone to Automate Major Port of Virginia Facilities, Embracing The Next Generation of Advanced Terminal Operations.

Navis, a part of Cargotec Corporation and the global technology standard for managing the movement of cargo through terminals, today announced that Richmond Marine Terminal, in Richmond Virginia, went live with Navis SPARCS N4. The Richmond Marine Terminal is the first Virginia Port Authority site to go live on SPARCS N4, as part of an upgrade of their systems that will span several terminal sites throughout the state. Port of Richmond will be the first of six facilities to deploy SPARCS N4, making it the second marine terminal in North America to go live with the industry’s most advanced terminal operating system (TOS).

“In our highly competitive marketplace, we firmly believe that advancements in technologies will be a key component to drive operational efficiencies, increase profitability and gain a competitive advantage,” said Joe Ruddy, Chief Operating Officer for Virginia International Terminals. “Navis was a natural partner due to its extensive industry expertise and recognition as a proven solution for managing and optimizing terminal operations.”

The SPARCS N4 implementation marks the latest engagement between Navis and The Virginia Port Authority spanning nearly 18 years. Navis’ terminal operating system is also used at Virginia International Terminals, previously managed by APMT. The Port of Virginia selected SPARCS N4 for the project due to its seamless integration with all Navis solutions while providing API solutions to connect with third party vendor applications.

The Port of Richmond is a barge terminal handling containerized, break-bulk and bulk cargo across all modes of transportation, located 70 miles inland. The Port of Virginia selected Richmond as a stepping stone to launch Navis SPARCS N4 at its other sites. Replacing a legacy home grown solution, SPARCS N4 will help Richmond Marine Terminal improve operational efficiencies, such as manual data entry. With SPARCS N4, terminal operators can now perform real-time data entry using N4 Mobile enabled iPads at both the barge and gates. As a result, Richmond Marine Terminal will improve productivity, save money and improve customer service overall.

“From our long-standing relationship with Port of Virginia-owned sites, we are confident that SPARCS N4 will help Richmond Marine Terminal achieve the operational efficiency they are striving for,” said Bill Walsh, president and CEO of Navis, LLC. “As larger ships come into play, terminals will be required to improve their productivity and customer service. By adopting the SPARCS N4 platform, The Richmond Marine Terminal will be able to deliver significant benefits to its customers that will help the terminal compete in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

Norfolk International Terminal will be the next facility to implement Navis SPARCS N4 in May 2013. The highly complex operation will also utilize Navis solutions for automated gate, GPS, rail auto stow and more.

SPARCS N4 is Navis’ latest generation TOS, allowing customers the flexibility and scalability needed to run their operations at the lowest possible total cost of ownership –from a single terminal to multiple terminals across multiple geographic locations managed from one central location.

About Navis, LLC

Navis, a part of Cargotec Corporation, is the global technology standard for managing the movement of cargo through terminals, standing the test of time. Navis combines industry best practices with innovative technology and world-class services to enable our customers to maximize performance and reduce risk. Whether tracking cargo through a port, automating equipment operations, or managing multiple terminals through an integrated, centralized solution, Navis provides a holistic approach to operational optimization, providing customers with improved visibility, velocity and measurable business results. www.navis.com

About Cargotec Corporation

Cargotec improves the efficiency of cargo flows on land and at sea – wherever cargo is on the move. Cargotec's daughter brands, Hiab, Kalmar and MacGregor are recognized leaders in cargo and load handling solutions around the world. Cargotec's global network is positioned close to customers and offers extensive services that ensure the continuous, reliable and sustainable performance of equipment. Cargotec's sales totaled EUR 3.1 billion in 2011 and it employs approximately 10,500 people. Cargotec's class B shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki under symbol CGCBV. www.cargotec.com

Contacts :

Navis, LLC
Andy Barrons, +1 510-267-5148
andy.barrons@navis.com
or
Affect Public Relations
Brittany Bevacqua, +1 212-398-9680
bbevacqua@affect.com


Source(s) : Navis