New metrics to help Vancouver port users track performance

New metrics to help Vancouver port users track performance The Port of Vancouver will soon add new tools to its Web portal that will allow customers to measure the flow of cargo against performance standards agreed upon last year by public and private stakeholders.
   In the next few months the port will expand beyond container performance to post metrics on breakbulk and bulk cargo, which still dominate the port’s cargo volume.
   “We're trying to create a lens that doesn't divulge anything that is commercially sensitive but will help keep the gateway fluid,” said Peter Xotta, director of business development at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, in a phone interview.
   The effort stems from the Canadian port’s two-year-old supply chain security strategy to move beyond a simple landlord role and actively coordinate collaboration between transportation service providers to improve cargo service.
   Bringing together stakeholders took on extra urgency last winter when bad weather severely disrupted truck and rail traffic in and out of Vancouver. Port officials, determined not to repeat the same problems, convened the container terminal operators (P&O Ports Canada, part of Dubai Ports World, for Centerm and Terminal Systems Inc. for Deltaport and Vanterm), the Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railroads and neighboring port authorities.
   On Jan. 1, the Vancouver, Fraser River and North Fraser port authorities consolidated management of the three Lower Mainland ports into the new Vancouver Fraser Port Authority.
   The intermodal partners agreed in principle in early fall of 2007 to immediately implement steps to achieve the first in a series of performance standards designed to increase the competitiveness of the port.
   The top goal is a three-day average dwell time over a rolling 30-day cycle for containers moving inland by rail, which the port authority committed to track. Officials hope to use the historical data generated to identify any negative trends and foster regular discussions on how to meet or improve the standard, Xotta said.
   The electronic dashboard, available with a password at www.pacificgatewayportal.com, tracks the average import dwell time of rail containers at each terminal, as well as truck turn times and overall port productivity. The later measure combines container and non-container performance per day, which is calculated by dividing TEUs or metric tons by vessel days in port per month.
   In addition to bulk cargo performance metrics, the port authority plans in 2008 to post information on longshore labor ordered and received and vessel schedule adherence for container liner services. Officials also want to develop a method for tracking the reliability of vessels that do not operate on published schedules, Xotta said.
   The parties also agreed to develop the capability to recover at least 20 percent to 25 percent of their capacity within a day following a weather-related disruption. The expectation for a one-day supply chain disruption, once plans are complete, is that it will take four days for a terminal or rail carrier to be operating at normal speed.
   “The theme is that the port and its partners are willing to be transparent and accountable and build confidence that the stakeholders are working together to build resilience through this gateway, particularly during what can be a challenging winter environment,” Xotta said.
   Meanwhile, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is expected to complete in the first quarter a rail network assessment that will detail how railroads plan to deal with anticipated volume growth and recommend strategic infrastructure improvements. ' Eric Kulisch