April 3, 2003

Sustaining VoyagerTrack's steep upward trend in usage of the Web sites utilized by container terminals operated by MTC and its joint-venture partners into 2002 from its 2001 remarkable 61 percent increase proved not to be as difficult as first projected.

Steve Longbotham, vice president of customer technology for Marine Terminals Corp., recently reported last year's VoyagerTrack results.

"VoyagerTrack's Web sites in 2002 registered an astounding 143 percent increase from 2001," Longbotham reported. "This dramatic growth not only reflected augmented functionality introduced during 2002, but also reflected the degree to which many companies have incorporated the use of the VoyagerTrack Web sites into their particular work processes and responsibilities to optimize shipment cycles moving through the West Coast ports of the U. S."

According to Longbotham, VoyagerTrack enhancements in 2002 include the introduction of expanded Gate Activity features, which not only allow trucking companies to view and track completed transactions, but now also track transactions in progress, particularly those with any "Trouble" issue that delayed or sidetracked a truck from its optimum flow through the terminal.

A key feature that differentiates VoyagerTrack sites from all other such sites, in addition to the expanded Gate Activity functions, is its Event Notification, another of VoyagerTrack's original components. The VoyagerTrack Web site only requires a trucking company user to sign up once for a standing notification request, which will send the user an instant e-mail any time a trucker for that company encounters a "Trouble" transactional issue and/or moves out of the "Trouble" state. An outstanding aspect of this functionality is the content of the e-mail, which clearly states the exact issue(s), the resolution required, and any contact information needed to remove the unwanted obstacle. The emerging trend resulting from this instantly delivered detailed information is that trucking companies, when alerted via this feature, are identifying and resolving obstacles before the trucker arrives. This was not the case prior to the development and deployment of this time-saving feature.

Richard Tsao, VP of operations for TransOcean Carrier finds the recently rolled out Trouble Notification feature very useful.

"We get an e-mail notification instantly, even before the trucker gets out of his truck, and know exactly what it is and can handle it before trucker even knows about it," Tsao said. "In Southern California, we have many drivers where English is their second language. They often have difficulty understanding various trouble issues and call the dispatcher not able to communicate what is needed. With the notification e-mail, our dispatcher knows exactly what the trouble is and can get on it right away. It is so simple to use. The format is easy, and we can access all the VoyagerTrack terminals through one log on. The fact that all the information is in real time is a big plus for us. Real time, not delayed a half-hour or an hour."

Trucking companies enthusiastically embrace anything that improves their asset utilization, and, therefore, their turn time. Theresa Stotler, dispatch manager for Schafer Brothers, who uses the system in her transactions at Evergreen-America's Los Angeles terminal, thinks it's "wonderful."

"The main reason I use VoyagerTrack is to check to see if containers are off the vessel and if they are on wheels and ready to go so I can dispatch my trucks," Stotler said. "I think it is the best. I depend upon VoyagerTrack religiously. I start dispatching at 2:30 in the morning and can't get a live person at that time in the morning to get information, so VoyagerTrack is great because it is updated in real time and allows me to have non-stop working when I need it."

Customization is something VoyagerTrack excels at providing users. Customers appreciate the ability to design the program for their maximum advantage. In Seattle, Steven Anderson, intermodal manager for North West Container Services, transports containers from Terminal T-46 to their own rail yard, which services Tacoma, Portland and Seattle.

"VoyagerTrack provided a program actually designed for us so we can pull up automatically all import information on containers discharged from vessels," Anderson explained. "If we have 100 containers, we can check all of them and verify if they are wheeled or grounded and if there are any Customs or USDA holds. It provides timely information on container availability, booking verifications, inbound and outbound gate transactions...live tracing of containers. You don't need a lot of detail in order to operate the system. It is very user friendly--with just a couple clicks, it tells us what and when available and allows us to check on any day how many container bookings, in and out. In my opinion, VoyagerTrack is definitely the most helpful and most user-friendly system available."

The benefits of VoyagerTrack go more than one layer deep into the supply chain. Toby Slayman, director of operations for PacRim Container Service, explained how he maximizes the real-time information.

"Most important feature for me is its real time expanded notification," Slayman said. "My customers, especially those with electronic goods, always want to know when their containers are actually discharged from the vessel and spotted in the yard. VoyagerTrack's event notification e-mails me automatically in real time so I, in turn, can send that e-mail on to my clients as live proof of the containers' status. This feature is extremely helpful to me. It saves me time and gives me added credibility with my clients, as they now feel confident. Other systems out there at other terminals can take up to two hours to update information. But with VoyagerTrack I know immediately, without picking up the phone or checking Web folders, when my containers go in or out the gate as well. I don't have to wait for EDI. Plus its format is easy to use, and the sorting information is superior. I prefer VoyagerTrack; it's so much better than the others."

Longbotham said the company is pleased that users find VoyagerTrack superior to other promoted Internet-accessed cargo information programs.

"We will continually expand and enhance the functionality of this suite of customer communication applications to ensure it supports the increased demands of the transportation industry for an effective interface between cargo logistics management and the processes used at container terminals," Longbotham promised.

A 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. For those without Internet access or who prefer to use the telephone, there is VoyagerVoice, a voice response unit system that 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.

Back To News Releases