PortVision optimizes fleet communications
Managing business processes associated with petroleum and chemical cargo transportation can be extremely complex for a company like Louisiana USA based LeBeouf Bros. Towing.
The company operates 30 towboats and 63 barges on America’s major inland waterways. LeBeouf has adopted a comprehensive web-based system from PortVision that has streamlined these operations while making it easier for the company to comply with regulatory requirements, implement industry best practices, and generate new opportunities for improved customer interactions.
LeBeouf has replaced multiple manual systems with the PortVision Fleet Management System, which builds on the foundation of PortVision’s AIS-based vessel tracking system and delivers a wide range of enterprise resource management capabilities. The end to end platform drives process improvements at every stage, from chartering to voyage and traffic management and invoicing and reporting.
A computer based PortVision Tug Activity Logger (TAL) on each LeBeouf boat records events, delays and other data for invoicing and reporting, and communicates with traffic departments so everyone has identical information. Wheelhouse to shoreside transmissions are routed through PortVision TriMode, which uses AIS, cellular and satellite communications to deliver messages at the lowest cost. The system also includes an automated invoicing module that incorporates industry standard demurrage, maintenance and delay criteria. This module gives LeBeouf the flexibility to meet specific customer requirements, and also handles invoicing for Waterway taxes and other purchased services, as required, while streamlining ExStars, US Army Corps, and individual state and waterway reporting.
LeBeouf expects future Fleet Management System modules to help drive fully integrated safety management utilizing information about operational voyage activity. The company will measure its success using Tanker Management and Self Assessment II program (TMSA II) guidelines that are used to assess and improve safety management systems. The guidelines are published by the Oil Company International Marine Forum (OCMIF).
“We based our system vision and objectives on TMSA best practices guidance, including high levels of data integration, collaborative voyage management, and the ability to share information between departments, said Mark Bourgeois, executive vice president with LeBeouf Towing. “PortVision’s Fleet Management System provides a single, web-based solution for implementing these guidelines.”
LeBeouf also hopes to integrate the PortVision Fleet Management System directly with PortVision’s TerminalSmart Dock Management System on the customer side. This will enable the company and its customers to share traffic updates and other fleet management data in near-real time, streamline jointly created demurrage reporting, and exchange waterway volume data so that reporting errors are minimized.
Solutions like PortVision’s Fleet Management System reduce the time, errors and oversight requirements associated with manual data entry. LeBeouf anticipates substantial time and cost savings from PortVision’s Fleet Management System, and is working with the company to spread the system’s benefits beyond voyage management to include optimizing human resources, safety, and maintenance processes, as well.
