Located in the port of Constanta, Romania, Chimpex is the market leader in port operations. The company operates 10 berths and has a maximum daily intake capacity of 33,000 tons and a total storage capacity of 600,000 tons.
A highly complex flow
As one of the largest port operators on the shores of the Black Sea, Chimpex handles a high volume of shipments daily, arriving at the docks in trucks. For each truck, the time between arrival, unloading and departure is a multi-stage process. This process would often be challenging for the drivers, as they were given individual cards containing information about the shipment and were required to present them several times before finally leaving the docks. This would cause disturbances in the flow, as many drivers had no previous instructions on how to use the cards or they would lose them.
Chimpex wanted to optimize this flow and make the processes easier for its employees and incoming drivers.
Optimizing operations
Zitec has been Chimpex’s partner on their journey towards digitalization for several years, so we gladly accepted the challenge. Our team’s approach focused on automating the entry point into the docks.
Together with two other external providers, we implemented a license plate recognition system (LPR) connected to barriers. This gives quick and easy access to drivers who come regularly into the port, based on their license plate. Our software development team then connected other hardware assets, like the two scales present on the platform and the card reading systems. This integration enables vital information about the cargo to be sent directly into the ERP, without the need for further manual input. Once the weigh in and quality check of the merchandise are completed and the information gathered into the ERP, the driver passes through the scale one more time. The secondary weight is automatically registered in the system and the weight of the cargo is determined. The driver can then exit the premises. The entire process that leads to the unloading of the cargo can be done in as quickly as one minute, whereas previously it would be entirely dependent on the speed at which the driver could complete the formalities, often leading to 7 minutes or more per shipment.
The future of port operations
The new flow has positioned Chimpex as a leader in automation among the port operators active in the Black Sea. The company is currently the only port operator in Romania to use a workflow with this level of automation. With the processes taking place up to 5 times faster than previously, the number of shipments that can be processed in the same time frame has increased substantially, leading to higher profitability and better efficiency.
For Chimpex’s employees, the time previously spent on manual processes can now be allocated to other priority tasks. And the incoming drivers, the actions required before unloading and leaving the port are now fewer and easier to complete than ever.
Chimpex’s ambition to operate using modern resources has been reflected in their increased efficiency and profitability, putting the 50-year-old company in a solid position for future growth.
To learn more about this project or how we can help your organization overcome logistic challenges send us a message.
Share via:
