June 27, 2005

Based on the most recently published figures, more than eight million VoyagerTrack® Web hits were recorded in 2004, representing a 67 percent increase over its record-breaking 2003 success of 4.8 million, and its usage broke the one-hit-per-second mark during business hours.

As impressive as these numbers are, the latest statistics reveal 2005 usage is outpacing 2004 (for the same period) by another 70 percent, making it the maritime industry’s leading container terminal integrated management software in North America.

According to Steve Longbotham, Marine Terminals Corp. VP – customer technology, VoyagerTrack’s functionality is delivering what the customers want and need to move their cargo as efficiently and quickly as possible through the processes of each terminal.

“The highest value of the system aligns with those time periods of industry issues, such as the labor shortage of the second half of 2004,” Longbotham said.

Several enhancements and modifications to the series of Web sites that cover seven of the busiest container terminals on the U.S. West Coast, proved to be valuable tools during the 2004 West Coast labor shortage and vessel congestion. VoyagerTrack moved towards real-time information about vessel operation, which became important with the delay of vessels out in the harbor last year due to labor shortages. Its Premier Appointment System (PAS), which debuted in 2003, continues to dominate, as the most widely utilized throughout California as well as the entire West Coast.

During 2004, there were times where specific terminals had virtually a 100 percent participation rate for pickup of import containers despite the non-mandatory nature of the system. One such example is Total Terminals International’s Hanjin Terminal at Pier T, in the Port of Long Beach. This facility continues to set records with as many appointments made as import containers picked up, month after month.

As part of the ongoing service to keep VoyagerTrack relevant, Longbotham provides personal instruction for trucking companies so they can maximize benefits from the system’s tools and consults them on what would make it better.

“Other sites never came to the trucking industry to see what they liked and needed,” said Sophia Park, general manager at Harbor Express. “We really appreciated that VoyagerTrack cared to ask us what would make it better for us. They went to all the trucking companies to ask what would make it easier for us and then created it from the feedback. In fact, we just had a meeting at the Hanjin facility about how it would integrate with PierPASS. The presentation was good.”

Park mentioned that Harbor Express “loves” VoyagerTrack and how, compared to other sites, it had more options, was flexible and easy to navigate, and was convenient for making appointments.
“I can make an appointment, cancel it, and then turn around an hour later and make another appointment,” Park said. “All while the driver is on the freeway and will be there in 30 minutes.”

A new module for PAS is soon to be released, which will bring additional value to the users as it goes far beyond just signing up for appointments. The new module will reduce per diem fees and improve equipment management by instantly providing trucking companies with all non-rail import containers not yet returned to the terminal of pickup. New features in the module will allow for advanced resolution of some issues currently only handled upon arrival. This feature is new to the industry as well and will enable trucks to move smoothly through the process upon arrival at a VoyagerTrack terminal.

Users also praise VoyagerTrack’s ability to provide information on multiple containers at once.
“VoyagerTrack is easier and faster because with the others you have to go one-by-one,” said Gabriela Ramirez of Hudd Distribution, Wal-Mart’s vendor. “With VoyagerTrack I can enter a couple containers at the same time ad it gives me all the status information, and if an appointment has been initiated, it lets me know through Event Notification.”

Jessica Ramirez at Tri-Modal Distribution Services, the trucking company hauling for Payless Shoes, said she just goes to VoyagerTrack’s Web site, enters the containers, and it gives her all the answers. She said she can do all the bills of lading at once, saving time. With the others “you can’t do bill of lading.”

Ease of use for checking availability at different locations also ranks high with several companies.
“VoyagerTrack is very streamlined and easy to use,” Ethan Iobst, C-LA Trucking availability clerk said. “I love it and use it every day for appointments.”

Perhaps the greatest evidence of VoyagerTrack’s continued importance to users is exemplified by Priscilla Ibarra, customer service with Nordic-Logistics.
“I just re-registered after joining this company,” Ibarra said. “When I was at We Are Drayage, I used it constantly for vessel scheduling, availability and to check on what went back as empties. I liked it so much better; it is more accurate than the others. That is why as soon as I came to this company, I had them register with VoyagerTrack.”

VoyagerTrack was developed by Embarcadero Systems Corp. under the direction of Marine Terminals Corp. With its initial deployment in 1997, VoyagerTrack led the industry with innovative functionality such as Event Notification, followed in 2000 with full Gate Activity visibility.

Trouble-Transaction Event Notification deployed in 2001 and PAS in 2003. The PAS software enhancement was deployed by MTC in conjunction with three of its joint-venture partners operating in the Port of Long Beach (TTI); the Port of Los Angeles (Seaside Transportation Services) and West Basin Container Terminal); and the Port of Oakland (TTI and STS), and its software provider, ESC.

Now in 2005, the new PAS module continues to advance the industry, providing solutions for all those involved in interfacing with VoyagerTrack terminals. Terminals and associated shipping lines currently using the PAS are Ben E. Nutter Container Terminal - Oakland (Evergreen, Wan Hai. Lloyd Triestino, Hatsu Marine); Total Terminals International - Oakland (Hanjin Shipping, Yang Ming, Sinotrans); Seaside Transportation Services - Los Angeles (Evergreen, Lloyd Triestino, Hatsu Marine; Total Terminals International - Long Beach (Hanjin Shipping, China Shipping, America’s Alliance, Sinotrans); and West Basin Container Terminal - Los Angeles (China Shipping, Yang Ming, Wan Hai, Hanjin, K-Line); and, through vessel sharing agreements with the above-mentioned carriers, CMA-CGM, COSCO, Sinotrans, and Zim. VoyagerTrack is also used in the Pacific Northwest. Those sites include the Evergreen Tacoma Terminal, the TTI Seattle Terminal and the new Olympic Container Terminal in Tacoma which starts up in July.

Longbotham believes PAS is the only appointment system on the West Coast that allows appointments to be made by either a Web site or a touch-tone telephone Voice Response Unit (VRU). For those without Internet access or preferring to use the telephone, there is VoyagerVoice.TM This VRU system requires only a touch-tone phone to make inquiries about import containers, export bookings and requests for Event Notification. Those interested in VoyagerVoice may call 888-744-7682 or go to www.voyagertrack.com for a listing of individual facility VRU telephone numbers. A current listing of all available VoyagerTrack Web sites can be obtained at www.voyagertrack.com or via www.mtcorp.com by going to the “Container Tracking” drop-down menu on the left side.

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