Singapore’s Maritime Success: How will Digitalisation Game-change Port Logistics’ Future?

As we celebrate Singapore’s 57th national birthday this year, we would also like to commemorate Singapore’s success as a maritime and global logistics hub. As the first country in Southeast Asia to build a container terminal, the Tanjong Pagar Terminal in 1972, 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of containerisation in Singapore, as the nation received its first containers carried onboard the MV NIHON on our shores in June 1972.

Let’s look back on Singapore’s journey and explore how digitalisation will shape Singapore’s future as a world class port and logistics hub.

Digitalising Port Logistics and Trucking | Unlocking Singapore’s Maritime Industry

Southeast Asia nations are lauded globally for their key role in the global maritime sector. However, there’s one that takes the bulk of the credit, and justifiably so, Singapore.

Much of Singapore’s success is due to the recent uptick in regional cross-border trade and consumption. In fairness, it has also capitalised on this opportunity incredibly well. The port is secure and highly efficient, making it an appealing logistics and supply chain management hub.

Given its prime location and efficiency, the largest global logistics firms and manufacturers have operations in Singapore, such as Schenker, DHL, Infineon, and Henkel. The port of Singapore has been outperforming other ports in the region and its dominance is best highlighted by being named Asia’s top logistics hub for ten consecutive years.

Better yet, the future seems bright. According to a Mordor Intelligence report, Singapore’s maritime sector will experience a compound annual growth rate of 2% till 2026.

As Singapore’s maritime and shipping port excels, it’s also impacting the container trucking sector. So, there’s a need for further efficiency gains for both sectors to run smoothly and in tandem.

In this regard, digitalising port logistics and trucking is the ideal solution. Read on to learn more about the port of Singapore and how digitalisation will be a game changer.

Singapore as a Global Port Hub in the Maritime Industry

As a major coastal and port nation, Singapore operates a key waterway that has significance in international shipping. This is primarily due to its strategic location.

The Singapore port is at the crossroads of the East-West trade and is the entry point to the Asian market. Moreover, Singapore has deep-rooted connections with the region and international markets.

Consequentially, Singapore port welcomes over 130,000 vessels annually. And it ranks first in the world when it comes to shipping tonnage. It also hosts dynamic quay cranes unavailable in other ports in the region. These allow it to serve the world’s largest vessels.

Singapore’s prime location gives it a significant maritime advantage over its neighbours. But that’s not the only factor contributing to its success. Others include:

Sophisticated port facilities and shipyards
It offers numerous essential ancillary services in shipping, logistics, and commerce

And the foundation supporting all this growth are pro-business government policies encouraging international maritime investors.

As a result, Maritime is the lifeblood of Singapore’s economy. It’s home to over 5,000 maritime businesses and organisations, creating jobs for over 170,000 people. The sector is now a key driver of Singapore’s economic growth, contributing 7% of the nation’s GDP.

Maritime Port Authority (MPA) | The Key Play in Singapore’s Fortunes

Approximately 90% of globally traded goods are transported by sea. And projections suggest that freight volumes will triple by 2050.

As Singapore continues to position itself as the leading maritime hub in the world, much of this growth will translate to increased local economic prosperity.

But that was not always the case for the port nation. Half a century ago, Singapore faced severe unemployment, a housing shortage, and poor infrastructure.

Fortunes began to change when they decided to adopt containerised shipping. Following this decision was the construction of Tanjong Pagar in 1972, which was also the first port in Southeast Asia to accommodate a third-generation container vessel.

Since then, Singapore has grown into the major shipping hub it is today, transforming the nation’s fortunes. But all this has not been by chance.

Celebrating Singapore’s 50^th anniversary of its containerisation journey, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has played a key role in making the port highly efficient and a major maritime hub.

The organisation is progressive-thinking and working towards capitalising on projected maritime growth and delivering a conducive environment for all stakeholders.

It collaborates and coordinates efforts with port operators and shipping companies. This translates to elevated levels of efficiency and allows the port to achieve its potential as a one-stop shop for the global maritime community.

With an eye on future competitiveness, Singapore is investing heavily in technology and talent to enhance port operations. The investment setting the tone for this is the Tuas Port, scheduled to be launched in the 2040s.

With a total capacity of 65 million twenty equipment units (TEUs), it will be the largest container terminal in the world. Moreover, it will have technologies such as data analytics, automation, and unmanned vehicles.

Haulio’s Role in Digitalising Port Logistics and Trucking

Singapore understands that capitalising on the growth of the maritime sector is not just about increasing port capacity. Given the Singapore port is popular for its efficiency, it’s necessary to enhance it.

Besides focusing on adopting technology to boost port efficiency, connectivity, safety, user experience and productivity, it is also important to look beyond the port – land side logistics.

Upon docking, containers rely on an intricate trucking network to reach land destinations. So, as port capacities increase, investments in efficiency should simultaneously occur for port operations and trucking.

In this regard, Haulio has been setting the pace for digitalising port logistics and trucking in Singapore, and regionally in Southeast Asia, as a digital haulier. Since launching in 2017, Haulio has become Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital haulage company today, offering innovative and seamless digital platform to support present and future operational and logistical needs.

Haulio’s Products

Cargo hauling operations is not easy as there are numerous challenges.

For instance, while there may be a high demand for first-mile logistics solutions, it does not mean you have a steady workflow. Also, coordinating effectively to ensure goods are picked up and delivered on time is challenging. This further complicates matters when dealing with perishables.

Haulio offers digital solutions to help shippers and hauliers overcome such challenges. These come as three key product offerings:

1. Haulio’s Customer Portal

As a shipping company, relying on one haulier for all your cargo is a recipe for disaster. However, reaching out to hauliers independently each time a shipment arrives is tedious.

Haulio’s Haulage Management Platform makes it easier to find reliable hauliers. Haulio’s customer portal has an 80% reach of Singapore’s container truckers.

In addition, it has notable features and benefits for shippers, such as:

Everything at a glance – All your import and export container bookings will be available on one friendly dashboard. Visual reminders and clear to-do lists make it easier to keep track of bookings.
Easy communication and information retrieval – A built-in hat function allows you to communicate with hauliers and upload documents.
Clear and transparent pricing – Haulio uses pre-agreed pricing for standard items making the process transparent. Moreover, you’ll see the estimated price as you create your booking.

2. The Haulage Operations Platform (HOP)

The Haulage Operations Platform is an end-to-end management tool designed for hauliers. It offers an all-in-one solution that helps streamline haulage operations. Instead of juggling different tasks and platforms, you can monitor and manage everything using HOP.

The HOP offers the following benefits to hauliers:

Easy trip scheduling – Managing and reviewing your drivers’ trip schedules is easier when you use HOP with Haulio Connectivity System. You only need to use a drag and drop feature to rearrange and assign trips. Along with the intuitive Kanban-style keyboard, scheduling trips has never been easier.
Bird’s Eye View of Your Fleet – HOP, and HCS combine to give you a real-time map of your driver’s location.
Review driver’s trip forms easily – Determining driver remunerations is hassle-free as you can easily review their trip forms using the Haulio Connectivity System.

3. The Haulio Connectivity System (HCS)

Communicating with drivers is the first step in ensuring things are going as planned or managing situations. Haulio Connectivity System is designed to make communicating and managing your fleet and drivers easier.

It’s a mobile-focused PSA messaging system that offers the following features and benefits to hauliers:

Chat – A chat function allows you to communicate with drivers easily.
Seamless driver job scheduling – An intuitive Job Scheduling Board simplifies managing your fleet and drivers. The simple process involves accepting a job from the Haulio Job Pool and then assigning it to your drivers via the HCS app.
Automatic status updates – Job status is updated automatically and in real-time, eliminating manual entries.
GPS tracking and routing – Drivers can easily deliver goods with navigational instructions from the app. The map function allows you to maintain a clear overview of your drivers.v

Haulio’s Growth and Future

Within five years, Haulio has established itself as the leader in digitalising port logistics and trucking. While its headquarters are in Singapore, Haulio operates in Indonesia and Thailand.

The maritime sector continues to grow in Singapore and the larger Southeast Asia region. With this, the need for Haulio’s solutions as a digital breakthrough is ever more relevant and crucial to meet the hyperactive supply chain demands of the region.

Are you tired of the inefficiencies and stresses of haulage? If yes, Haulio is just what you need. You’ll get a robust and reliable platform to handle all your haulage needs and operations. Register today as a shipper or a haulier to enjoy efficient haulage.

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