Digitalization of Cargo Handling at Schiphol Airport, The Netherlands

Giovanni DouvenLecturer and Research Fellow

Business Research Centre Airport & Aviation Inholland University of Applied Sciences

Air Cargo Handling ConferenceThursday 3rd September

Bangkok

Outline presentations

• Who are we:

• Digitalization at Schiphol Airport

• Research project (eLink)– What is eLink– Research approach– Findings

• Main conclusions

• One of the biggest university of applied sciences in the Netherlands

• > 29.000 students, nine locations• Two sections of education geared towards aviation

– Aeronautical engineering & – Airport & aviation (within logistics & economics education)

• A business research center with 29 research groups all headed by research professor

• Airport & aviation research section is mainly focused towards cargo logistics

Digitalization projects @ SPLunder one umbrella

Towards an Integrated Approach of All Compliance Checks

in a Speedy and Reliable Process

Many projects of digitalization

SmartGate ICT Solutions

Centralized Risk Analysis

SmartGate Combines All Compliance Checks and Inspections in a Flexible Way…

Mobile Teams / Scan

ULD Scan

Remote Scan Nuclear Detection

Customs Control Centre

Joint Inspection Centre

Focus of our research project called “eLink”

What is eLink

eLink research background

Project name “eLink”

Timeframe: 2,5 years from January 1st 2013 through July 1st, 2015

Three Phases of research Phase 1: Definition phase and collecting parties Phase 2: Research into the obstacles of the use of eLink (Inholland

University) Phase 3: Implement (Inholland)

European funding, costs involved €365.000

Phase 2: 30 Students; Phase 3: 5 Interns under leadership by one research fellow and research professor

Research eLink

Central question:' What is the impact of the introduction

of eLink at the various handlers and what consequences does this have on

their logistics processes’

Ground Handler(1st line)

Forwarder(2nd line)

Export

Field of researchonly export, only handler area, many parties

Industryassociation

CargoCommunity

Platform

Freight forwarders:•Rhenus Logistics•DB Schenker•Hartrodt

Research methodology

• Desk research– Literature– Flowcharts– Computer simulation techniques

• Field research– Observation of processes – Interviews with management and executive staff– Participation in knowledge platforms – Students take part in the daily execution at a freight

forwarder and the six handlers – Weekly progress meeting with ACN and Cargonaut

Research model

Ist

Current situation

Soll

Desiredsituation

Change

From entrance point to loading dockCurrent situation

Analysis of current situation:

•All truckers towards desk•Documentation check mandatory•Queues at desk•Queues at unloading dock•No differentiation at entrance point

1

2

3

Computer simulation current situation

From entrance point to loading dockCurrent vs. desired situation

Current situation:•All truckers towards desk•Documentation check mandatory•Queues at desk•Queues at unloading dock•No differentiation at entrance point

Desired situation:•Documentation check fully digitalized•Preferable removal of documentation desk•No queues•Only service desk

1

2

3

Desired situation (1)

Optimal inflow of cargo at handler:

•ACN-smart card with detailed cargo data, fully paperless •Card reader at the entrance point of handlers area •Various electronic controls of cargo at entrance gate•Immediate data push ACN-smart card data to WMS ground handler •Systematic view & control on arrival cargo, truck & driver

1

The ACN Smart Card:For Speed & Security (1a)

• Gives access to 10 ground handling companies(mostly 1st line, but increasingly 2nd line)

• Used by > 300 trucking companies / couriers• Digital ID for > 4,000 drivers• All with criminal background checks• Check on truckers’ Regulated Agent (RA) status

smartcard

smartcard

Compliance Check at Schiphol via eCargo Receipt & eLink (1b)

Warehouse management systemGround Handler

(1st line)

smartcard

smartcard

Desired situation (2)

• Driver arrives with cargo at the entrance. After scanning ACN-pass via light screen reported:– “Proceed to dock xx”– “Proceed to service desk”

• Optimal output by: – Disconnecting information from the physical shipment– Adequate presence of personnel during delivery time – Sufficient capacity of docks

• Maintain back-up systems

• Long term: Fully paperless freight

Computer simulation delivery process

The connection between the different links in the delivery process of cargo:

Elements:•Arrival and departure•Visitors/ACN-pass holders •Documentation desk with employees •Docks for unloading freight •Trucks driving times

Key Performance Indicators:•Average lead time•Waiting time dock•Occupation rate Office desk •Occupation rate dock

1

3

export

2

Entrance barrier Documentation desk Unloading dockexport

Exit

Scientific validation overview simulation

These validation results lead to reliable conclusions

Computer simulationDesired situation

Ist

Current situation

Soll

Desiredsituation

Change

Results research eLink project

Implementation eLink delivers significant improvements (efficiency and effectiveness) in the handling of export cargo at Schiphol:

– Throughput time – Waiting time – labor costs – less error margins and higher integrity of data (increase of RfC deliveries)– Better and more sustainable environment (less CO2 and less paper)

Proof of conduct KLM & Rhenus

Critical elements

• Full cooperation of the staff • Sufficient handling capacity at the dock• High participation rate of freight forwarders is a

necessity • Shipments information quality is of the essence– Preserve quality of original information– Information regarding driver & truck correct– Information systems 100% working/reliable

Impact of introduction eLink project at handlers

• Reliable interface eLink with the WMS-system of ground handler is of the essence

• Redeploy/retrain staff from the documentation department (from check- to service employees)

• Management of arrivals at the unloading docks• Consequences for the layout of various work

locations• Introduction backup scenarios systems

Succes eLink is generating more (digitalization) projects

Further improvements are possible if:

•Introduction entrance order system (number at the barrier) •Active dock management via digital system •Overall planning system for all cargo arrivals at Schiphol airport which makes peak shaving possible•Introduction of performance measurement/scorecard•Higher participation rate

Conclusion:

Digitalization at SPL airport leads to:

significant more efficiency and effectiveness

resulting in:

– Faster throughput times, – Less queues & less waiting times– Higher occupation rates for loading docks

personnel & documentation/service desk, – Better planning

• http://www.inholland.nl/onderzoek/Lectoraten/Airport+and+Aviation/

• http://www.acn.nl/

• http://www.cargonaut.nl/

• http://www.cargomagazine.nl/inholland-conducts-follow-study-elink/• http://www.cargomagazine.nl/inholland-studenten-doen-onderzoek-

naar-gebruik-van-elink/

More information

Email: Giovanni.Douven@inholland.nl

Websites:

Articles:

eLink:

Open for worldwide introduction--------------

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