A port call app that rocks the boat

Rhenus has a large breakbulk terminal in the Rotterdam Harbour. Breakbulk is cargo that is not shipped in containers or in bulk. This makes breakbulk operations quite something: as cargo comes in all shapes and sizes, coordinating port calls becomes a monumental task.

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Rhenus required an application to centralise and streamline cargo-specific information, making port calls more efficient and manageable. A huge part of the challenge was to cater to the diverse needs of user, from dockworker to terminal planner.

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We mapped out all the intricacies of Rhenus' operations, port calls in particular. The blueprints we created laid the foundations for the Port Call App roadmap, and for fostering alignment with the different organisation layers.

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We developed multiple application prototypes that were tested on the docks in challenging conditions, building trust with the dock workers step-by-step.  

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The Rhenus's Port Call Application (PCA), bridges the operational divide between planners and dockworkers. It streamlines data exchange and enhances real-time communication.

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The PCA provides dockworkers with on-the-go access, ensuring they are in-sync with the latest updates and cargo-specific details, while planners have an actionable overview of planning, real-time events, notifications, and advanced messaging.

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Multilingual support and map displays, further enrich the user experience and make sure the PCA is adaptable to the diverse and dynamic breakbulk terminal environment.

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