Softship, a global shipping software solutions provider, has launched a web-based Port Cost Calculator for carriers to maintain up-to-the-minute, fully accurate records and full visibility of expenses at all stages of each individual port call.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]Softship explains that a vessel’s expected port activities will be pre-loaded into its Port Cost Calculator from the original port call templates and unforeseen or real-time adjustments can be taken direct from vessel reports.
Based on this, the Calculator will present a list of all expected charges and costs. These are then automatically applied to the overall voyage result giving the carrier full visibility over the financial performance of each voyage, according to Softship’s announcement.
Additionally, as the port call progresses, vendor invoices are automatically reconciled and approved for payment which reduces staff time and errors. At the same time, discrepancies are identified and resolved.
Thomas Wolff, Softship’s managing director, believes that the current process is very complicated and “error-prone” because of the large number of vessels and ports, the differences between the required services on each port call, as well as the broad range of service providers.
“Port calls are expensive and a carrier needs to know, in advance, the anticipated cost of a call so that the overall voyage result can be accurately predicted,” he said, adding, “Carriers must also be confident that the costs they incur in port are legitimate and accurate and can be reconciled against services actually delivered for the pre-agreed tariff.”
The Calculator integrates seamlessly within a carrier’s existing Information Technology (IT) systems using the Softship WebAPI (web application programming interface) and data is exchanged by standard JSON or XML files.
Softship believes that the use of these “web services” also facilitates easy data exchange within a carrier’s own company and between external business partners.
“Our new web-based tool – which slots seamlessly into a carrier’s own internal IT environment – streamlines this time-consuming process and injects a much higher level of confidence and accuracy into the overall port cost calculations,” stated Softship’s MD.[/s2If]
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