Building Virtual Port Via Blue Ocean Network
www.shippingchina.com 2009-06-03 10:31:19
Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends:
Just now Mr. Coens and Mr. Vincent presented Zeebrugge Port strategically and technically. We accept it, digest it and embrace it. In this era where world economy changes and develops fast, we should concern height, angle, degree and speed in an all round way. When I was in Belgium in March, I have a hot discussion with Mr. Vincent Saedeleer on the virtual port, and we discussed from noon to night. Therefore, I would like to say something about virtual port.
Before introducing the virtual port, I would like to mention the special opportunism for China. China has changed so lot after 30 years of development. In 2008, China import and export valued over USD2.5 Trillons, 7.2 Billion tons of cargos are handled, and 126 Million TEU containers are transported. The Shipping market of China is worth USD500Billion. Since the outbreak of financial storm in September 2008, all nations suffer from economy recession. And it is predicted by UN that the world economy growth is minus. China’s GDP is projected to increase by 8%, which is still influential to the world economy. EU is China’s number one trading partner with a trading volume of USD475 billion with China in 2008. China’s export volume to Europe was USD113.9 Billion and the import volume is USD361.5 Billion. At the beginning of 2009, China’s signed an order of USD13 Billion with EU.
These statistics give us confidence on Sino-EU trade market. Then we come back to the virtual port. Virtual Port is an online platform designed to display port facility, port services, port functions, industry parks, logistics parks and all other comprehensive information. With advantaged information technology, virtual port system helps port directly reach target customers and interact with them within the system. End customers can book port service and perform business on line. This will greatly save cost in time, space and laborers.
For Zeebrugge Virtual Port, the first step is to integrate all terminals, all port facilities, functions and services on an information platform. The second step is to make configuration on these functions and connect them with modern information tools to form comprehensive e-service system. The third step is to connect this network with customers, markets and the other relevant industries.
The Zeebrugge Virtual Port will have the following effects:
The virtual port will provide BTOB (Business to Business) applications, which can help port finding its target customers and cooperate with them. Meanwhile customers can make orders and other operations on line.
The virtual port can perform OTOW (Office to Workshop) simultaneous spot-to-spot picture transfer. Customers can conduct spot to spot instruction on line, monitor procedures with virtual port system and provide value added service to customs, insurance and inspection.
The virtual port provides Door-to-Door Tracing Service. Shanghai Port Vice President Mr. Bao Qifan invented RFID container monitoring system to monitor the containerized cargoes through GPS and electronic tag. We plan to apply this technology to Zeebrugge Port and other partners.
With RFID system, We can whole way follow up the cargo, guarantee the transport safety to ensure the container is not opened to lose cargoes. Even a mouse enters the containers, the alarm ill be given. Thirdly, Port, seller, buyer, agent could track the cargo any time. Fourthly, it provides evidence for insurance company, inspection party, customs and bank.
The virtual port can provide market-to-market (MTOM) extension. Internet is ubiquitous and makes the world change fast. Virtual port extensively and speedily makes Zeebrugge port flying to China and the world. Virtual port is water-highway between China and EU. Zeebrugge will be E-gateway of EU .
Finally, the virtual port will connect port hub to hinterland to set up market network. This network actually has existed, that is, SHIPPINGCHINA.
SHIPPINGCHINA is the largest shipping portal website in China, which has 250, 000 business subscribers and 1,000, 000 click rate per day. Our subscribers cover ship owners, shipbuilding companies, ports, top freight forwarders, intermodal logistics companies, cargo insurance companies, investment banks, and logistics software providers. ShippingMart is SHIPPINGCHINA’s core business. ShippingMart’S booking volume in 2008 reached 2, 000, 000 with its member companies covering 30 China ports. SHippingMart aims to achieve 5 million TEU by concentrated container booking. ShippingMart can lower China logistics cost by 20%. We will gain economic returns after the social and industrial effects are realized. The profit of 10 Dollars for one container means a revenue of 50 million dollars. Now we are connecting Zeebrugge Port with ShippingMart to mutual share information and business between port and customers. We are applying for virtual port project from China Ministry of Transport and Communication to extend the range of virtual port to inland port. In this way, port service can be put ahead at the factory place. This will lower the logistics cost of shippers and improve the port competitiveness.
To male my conclusion, virtual port is a brave endeavor, which can be called “New New Model”. We hope that this model is a breakthrough for all out delegates today to make us achieve win-win situation.
