New app will help truck drivers on DP World terminal

DP World Antwerp (quay 1700) is working on a new app for truckers to be able to communicate better and more transparently with truck drivers and to facilitate their work. In this app, the entire truck flow at the terminal is digitized, which in the long term will ensure a smoother flow. A win-win situation for truckers and terminal operators. The app is expected in June this year.

Facilitate truck flow

By the summer, DP World Antwerp hopes to launch the new app for truck drivers. "With the app, we want to facilitate the work of the truckers," says William De Vos, Innovation Manager at DP World Antwerp. Every day between two and five thousand trucks visit the terminal of quay 1700. They have to go through a whole procedure to pick up or drop off their containers. “In that sense, drivers are a major stakeholder. For efficient operations on our terminal, it is crucial that they can perform their work as smoothly as possible, "said William De Vos.

From automation to digitization

DP World is the first company to develop a mobile application for the trucker community. A survey of the target group by DP World showed that truck drivers are ready for the next step, from automation to digitization. The truck flow on quay 1700 is already partially automated, because containers are loaded and unloaded via automated stacking cranes. The entire process is also digitized in the new app. “The driver can see what information he needs without having to go to a checkpoint. Everything is digitized in one place, physical documents are no longer needed in the long term. That way the trucker no longer has to get out of his truck, "says William De Vos. This also improves safety, which is further increased because the driver is guided step by step through the flow, supplemented by a plan with route guidance.

Smoother flow

Because the app will offer more transparency about the activity level at the terminal and the average waiting time, this will ensure a smoother flow in the long term. For the moment this kind of information is only available on an online platform for the dispatchers, and truckers cannot consult it on their smartphone. “Problems often arise because we don’t have influence on the influx. Dispatchers schedule their appointment in advance, but often cannot take unexpected peaks into account. By sending the right information to the right people at the right time, we can determine ourselves who best comes to us at what time, "says William De Vos. “By going digital, we want to transform DP World Antwerp from a push to a pull terminal. The goal is to make the entire logistics run as smoothly as possible. "

Improve relationship with truckers

Another advantage is that the communication will become more personal. With the new tool, DP World wants to improve the relationship with the truckers community and meet their needs. “We listened to the feedback from the truckers and the dispatchers. We want to be able to communicate directly with them and provide personalized messages. By communicating openly about waiting times and circumstances, we want to better inform drivers, ”says William De Vos. Each trucker is personally informed about the waiting time and the location where he is expected. In addition, it will be possible for drivers to give DP World feedback about their visit and they can also consult opening hours and an extensive FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

The first few weeks the first tests start with a select user group. After processing the feedback, DP World Antwerp hopes to introduce the app to the general public in June.

Innovation, transparency and safety

DP World chose The Reference as a partner for the realization of this innovative and strategic project. The full service digital agency is well placed to guide them. They are the driving force behind numerous digital transformation processes with large players in various sectors. "The integrated approach, from conceptual thinking, to designing the technical architecture with a lot of complex integrations and the realization of the app, is what convinced us," says William De Vos.

“Although the development of this project goes further than an app. In time, we will also let other stakeholders connect to a new platform where data sharing via APIs is central. Accuracy, speed and transparency of data are crucial elements for DP World's partners. A user-friendly web platform should allow them to make better and faster decisions,” explains John De Wever, spokesperson for The Reference. "In addition, DP World Antwerp greatly values our vision of using innovative technology to promote safety in the port," he adds.