Hapag-Lloyd taps XVELA for cloud-based stowage planning

The German container line is pilot testing a stowage platform from Oakland-based technology firm XVELA, a subsidiary of terminal operating system provider Navis.    The liner carrier Hapag-Lloyd said Wednesday it is pilot testing cloud-based stowage-planning software from Oakland-based technology provider XVELA.
   The German container line will use XVELA to provide real-time stowage planning and cargo data for individual ships in ports. The data is available to both the carrier and container terminal – Hapag-Lloyd said this will enable it to see the progress of loading and unloading operations so that it can deploy its ships more efficiently.
   The software allows terminals to get continuous transparency regarding the state of stowage planning for an expected ship, allowing terminals to allot equipment and staff in a timely and reliable fashion. The aim is to reduce unexpected changes at short notice in the coastal schedule as well as unnecessary waiting times for both sides, the carrier said.
   “The more transparency there is throughout the transport chain, the more efficiently everyone involved can make plans for and employ their assets and resources,” said Jörn Springer, head of Hapag-Lloyd’s Fleet Support Center.
   The 10-person support center in Hamburg, which opened in 2013, allows the line to keep an eye on its fleet of owned and chartered vessels.
   “We are continually searching for additional possibilities for optimizing the processes of the fleet while at sea and in ports,” Springer added. “We hope that the innovative approach in stowage planning will provide fresh impetus particularly regarding times in port.”
   XVELA is a subsidiary of the terminal operating software company Navis. Founded in 2014, the company aims to bring Navis’ functions to a cloud environment. Read more about the XVELA in the American Shipper May 2015 story, “Collaborative stowage,” also available in the digital edition of the magazine.