Cargo Business Techwire

Friday, April 8, 2016

Softship launches cloud-based solution for port agents

Hamburg-based Softship, which provides software solutions for the shipping industry, has launched a cloud-based management solution for port agents.

The company says its Softship Advanced Port Agency Solution – SAPAS – is a unique pay-as-you-go tool that manages all port agency and husbandry activities in a single on-line solution. Its user-defined database stores huge amounts of information required to service the ships when in port. Agents can access port tariff information, for example, and calculate accurate costs.

"Port agents provide the critical link between the charterer or owner and the port," said Softship Executive Director Thomas Wolff.

The program also combines vessel information with

external costs such as pilotage, berthing and bunkering to accurately estimate the cost of a port call. It manages all activities (vessel, crew, port authorities, customers, suppliers and more) required while the ship is in port, creating a checklist, statement of facts and a disbursement account that can be presented when the vessel departs.

"Most agents are small companies who run their businesses on phone calls, spreadsheets and notebooks," Wolff said. "SAPAS allows the agent to structure and control all this information and to manage efficiently the wide range of activities required when a ship makes a port call. Importantly, SAPAS is available from any internet connected PC or tablet making it completely portable for agents who are often on the move."