Manila International Container Terminal (MICT), the country’s gateway for international trade, on Monday adopted more innovative solutions to improve customer experience and boost the efficiency of the supply chain.
The MICT rolled out innovative digital solutions enhancing transparency and making transactions more convenient for port users.
When the global health crisis reached the Philippines in 2020, the MICT transitioned to 100 percent digital payments via ICTSI’s Advance Customer Transaction System.
The system offered a convenient and secure platform enabling port users to settle their transactions in the comfort and safety of their homes, eliminating the need to visit the terminal. The ACTS helped keep MICT customers safe during the pandemic while streamlining port transactions.
The adopttion also supports the government’s bid to streamline and further improve the ease of doing business using online platforms and digital payment systems.
MICT said its terminal appointment booking system (TABS) is one of the most notable innovations implemented by the company in recent years.
Launched in 2015, the TABS enables trucking companies to schedule specific slots for container pick-ups and drop-offs, optimizing cargo movement within the port.
“Having a structured framework for truck arrivals benefits all the stakeholders in the port. TABS helps our clients to plan their trips more effectively leading to potentially lower costs. It also helps us to improve our productivity by enabling us to allocate our resources more effectively and address operational challenges more proactively,” said Christian Lozano, MICT chief operating officer.
Having an appointment system regulating the arrival of trucks also helps reduce traffic congestion along city roads leading to the port.
The company also launched the ICTSI App in 2022. This allows for easier monitoring of MICT customer shipments. Users create watchlists in the app for vessels, trucks and containers, and subscribe to status notification to receive timely updates via email or SMS.
“The ICTSI App provides users with 24/7, real-time information on their cargo that can lead to more accurate and timely logistics planning. With its transparency features, the app can help our customers can make better business decisions,” said Lozano.
Aside from the MICT, the Laguna Inland Container Terminal, NorthPort, Subic Bay International Terminals, and the Mindanao Container Terminal are also covered by the ICTSI App. Plans are underway to incorporate other ICTSI terminals outside the Philippines.
