“JIT” connections are increasingly important in phase in/phase out operations, as loading discharge activities onboard two – or more – ships have to be completed within a given time avoiding any delay.
As well as performing regular commercial transhipment operations, Cagliari International Container Terminal (CICT) is regularly called upon to support changes in the ship deployment, requiring procedures to enable the discharge of a container from one ship and load it directly onto another, without the need of intermediate storage in the yard.
“This is what we call “Just in Time” connection (JIT) – explains Andrea Cervia (CICT Operation Director) – “Discharging and loading sequences of two ships simultaneously at berth involve synchronized planning and execution, ensuring a safe and reliable transhipment operation, resulting in an optimization of the time in port of both ships”.
“JIT” connections are increasingly important in phase in/phase out operations, as loading discharge activities onboard two – or more – ships have to be completed within a given time avoiding any delay.
During the latest phase in/phase out operation, m/v Dusseldorf Express, a ship operated by the German carrier Hapag Lloyd (LOA of 294 metres and 4,612 TEUs of nominal capacity) shifted form the Med Gulf Express Service (MGX) to the Med Pacific Service (MPS) while m/v Santa Roberta (240 metres in length and a nominal capacity of 4,112 TEUs) phased out from the latter. CICT gangs performed some 1,000 moves in “Just in time” mode, with the whole operation accounting for a total of 3,352 moves, completed in less than 24 hours (30% of cargo exchanged).
“Both ships were operated by our team in accordance with the timing required” – comments Andrea –“sailing from Cagliari perfectly on schedule…actually this is quite the routine for our customers here in CICT….”
