TOS Selection — CLdN Ports

Context & Approach

CLdN Ports currently uses RoRo.NET — a 15-year-old in-house system with a limited TOS module. The system lacks real-time equipment integration (CAN bus), mobile interfaces for foremen and tallies, integrated IMDG segregation logic, and dashboarding. The mixed cargo mix (RoRo trailers, containers, breakbulk, trade cars, hazmat) makes requirements more complex than a standard container TOS can handle. CLdN operates own terminals at 6 locations across BE, NL, and UK.

Architecture Principle: Core vs. Edge

Buy what is commodity, build what differentiates. The TOS is the system of record for all terminal data — but the way CLdN operates (tally workflow, shunt planning, customer portal, IMDG-mix) requires custom apps on top of an open platform.

Buy (commodity)

Gate OCR, yard slot management, vessel planning basics, billing engine, EDI integrations

Configure

RoRo deck/lane templates, IMDG rules, tariff structures, report layouts

Build (differentiators)

Tally tablet app, shunt/slave planning, customer portal, CAN bus integrations (Trackunit/Ultimo), custom IMDG segregation logic

Terminals — CLdN Ports (Zeebrugge)

Britannia Dock

Area: 61 ha
Quay: 800m
RoRo berths: 4
Railtracks: 8

Canada Quay

Area: 87 ha
Quay: 600m
RoRo berths: 2
Railtracks: 10
Warehouse: 10.000m²

Albert 2 Dock

Area: 36 ha (expansion)
Quay: 730m
RoRo berths: 2
Railtracks: 5

Cargo mix

Boxes 20–45ft · Tanks & tanktainers · Swapbodies · Trailers · Huckepack · Lancashire flats · High & heavy mobiles · Trade cars · IMDG/DG cargo

Current System — Gaps

Domain	Today (RoRo.NET)	Gap
Equipment integration	CAN bus not connected	No automatic task assignment based on machine data
Mobile interfaces	Limited / paper	No mobile tally, no real-time foreman dashboard
IMDG segregation	Manual	No geo-mapped terminal, no automatic distance checking
Rail	Manual	No EDI integration, no computer vision portal
Reporting	Limited	No real-time KPI dashboard per terminal
EV fleet	Not present	Charge optimization (Kempower) still to integrate

Capability Matrix — Buy / Configure / Build

Domain	Capabilities
Gate	BUY OCR fast lane BUY ISPS/ID management CONF Gatepass types BUILD Car carrier flow
Yard	BUY Slot management CONF IMDG rules BUILD Slave/multi-stack logic BUILD CAN bus weighing
Vessel	BUY RoRo deck planning BUY BAPLIE/stowage CONF Productivity levels BUILD RTK GNSS auto-status
Equipment	BUY Trackunit integratie CONF Authorization module BUILD Ultimo ↔ TOS integration
Rail	BUY EDI train manifest BUILD CV rail portal CONF RID rules
Administration	BUY Reporting module CONF KPI thresholds BUILD Multi-terminal dashboard

KPI Framework

Efficiency

Vessel turnaround time
Cargo handling rate (moves/uur)
Yard utilization (%)
Gate throughput (TTT trucks)
Equipment utilization (%)

Cost

Cost per handled unit
Fuel per move
Maintenance idle time
Chargeable vs. non-chargeable quay orders

Safety

Incident rate (IMDG related)
Near miss registrations
Training compliance (%)
Damage rate per move

Sustainability

Energy per handled unit
EV charge optimization (grid peak load)
Running hour equalization fleet

Roadmap

01

M1 – M2

Discovery & Process Mining

Map as-is processes, validate use cases with Operations, inventory system integrations.

02

M3 – M5

Market Scan & RFP

Revise and send RFI. Conference Room Pilot with 2-3 vendors on priority use cases. Selection decision.

03

M6 – M9

Skeleton Implementation

Core modules live on 1 terminal (pilot). Trackunit + Ultimo integrations. Tally mobile app first version.

04

M9+

Strangler Pattern Rollout

Phased replacement of RoRo.NET module by module. Rollout to all terminals. Activate custom builds.

→ View Reference Architecture & DDD Bounded Contexts (English)

RFI 2023 — Status

The 2023 RFI (CLdN Ports Zeebrugge NV, contact Geert Willem) had a limited scope: integration of CAN bus data from port tractors and reach stackers with the TOS for automatic task assignment. Not a full TOS selection. Needs to be revised as a broad RFP once the use case set is validated and prioritized.

🚧 Gate

42 use cases

Access and exit control for trucks, drivers, and visitors. Covers ISPS compliance, safety introductions, bookings, OCR automation, and hazardous cargo procedures.

ISPS & Identity Management

Driver identification via app, RFID or Alfapass. Safety introduction registration. Access rights per zone management.

Visitor Registration

Full visit log with timestamp, ID, transport mode — ISPS compliant. Entry and exit registered. Kiosk for visitors.

Visit Booking

Planner via desktop, driver via mobile app. Status check: discharge ready / customs OK / no holds. Fast lane approval.

OCR Fast Lane

Automatic license plate recognition. Height measurements. Unmanned gate options. Fallback option for manual gate.

Gatepass Types

Export / import / combination / visitor / exit. Multiple delivery options per unit type.

IMDG Procedures

DG cargo check at entry. Emergency preparation (print haz units on quay with location). Segregation checks on arrival.

Traffic Management

Congestion notifications to managers. Truck routing on terminal. Gate close/block by manager.

Workforce Planning

Staff planning per gate. Messages to gate personnel from management. Sales communication via gate reporting.

Example Use Cases (complex / specific)

1.22 OCR height measurements: system automatically measures vehicle height at entry — relevant for covered zones and tunnel clearance.
1.27 Emergency preparation: on alarm, system automatically prints a list of all haz units on quay with location and UN numbers.
1.39 Unit pre-check: separate gate flow for high-volume deliveries — different unit registration, batch processing.
1.15 Unit status check: driver checks before gate whether unit is discharged, customs-cleared and has no holds — no unnecessary waiting time.

🏗 Yard

98 use cases

Yard management for trailers, mobile units and lift units. Covers slot assignment, multi-stack management (slave system), IMDG segregation, reefer plug zones, weighing and performance reporting.

Smart Slot Assignment

Automatic positioning based on destination, weight, hazmat status. Generate housekeeping orders. Open/close/block zones.

Multi-stack (Slave) Management

Manage double and multiple stacks via slave number. SWL checks, IMDG compatibility check, "front-heavy" rule for twin stacking. Exception handling.

IMDG Segregation

Geo-mapped terminal with automatic distance calculation between dangerous goods. Commodity restrictions for double stacking.

Reefer Plug Zones

Plug orders for tally. Monitoring of refrigerated units. Register reefer position at entry. Plug zone work for tugmaster.

CAN Bus Weighing

Reach stacker weighing integration via CAN bus — weight registered on lift without manual input.

Yard Traffic Management

Dwell time messages to drivers. Rerouting on incidents. Safe work zone coordination.

Performance Visibility

Machine statuses, productivity per foreman, waiting times. KPI management and deviation alerts. Manual priority adjustment.

Damage Management

Record damage per move by foreman. Register quay orders (chargeable vs. non-chargeable). Track external quay orders.

Example Use Cases (complex / specific)

2.23 "Front-heavy" twin stack: system blocks double stacking if the front is heavier than the rear of the bottom unit — prevents tipping.
2.21 IMDG compatibility check: when building a slave stack, system automatically checks whether all units on the slave may be stacked together based on UN class and segregation group.
2.46 Destacking with VBS active: when discharging import units still in VBS (awaiting pickup), system adjusts position to respect expected pickup sequence.
2.49 Reefer TRL plug order: on entry of a reefer trailer, system automatically creates a plug order with the correct reefer position for the tally.

🚢 Vessel Loading / Discharge

88 use cases

Full operational support from berthing to last unit loaded. RoRo deck planning, multi-modal (LoLo), automatic status updates via CAN bus and GPS, mobile tally.

Automated Deck Assignment

ML-assisted suggestion per unit to deck position. Foreman confirms. Manual override option. Toggle manual/automatic.

Tugmaster Task Assignment

Orders based on location, unit specs and machine certification. Combined discharge + load moves. Reject and reorder capability.

Resource Planning

Plan deployment volumes + time windows + operators. Alert on insufficient staffing. Timeline alerts per deviation. KPI input for task assignment.

Productivity Levels

Config levels a/b/c for different conditions (heavy lashing, bad weather). Switchable for operational adjustment.

Real-time Vessel Dashboard

Mobile foreman dashboard per vessel: progress, deviations, machine statuses. KPI per individual worker.

Auto-status via CAN Bus + GPS

Position and status update automatic on tugmaster movement (no manual input). Geo-position (RTK GNSS / beacon) triggers "loaded" status.

Mobile Tally (paperless)

Tally cross-checks load list on mobile device. Mismatch triggers message to driver. Option to stop tallying when TOS accuracy improves.

Multi-stack to Vessel

Tugmaster moves double/multiple stacks as one entity to vessel via slave number.

Example Use Cases (complex / specific)

4.21 Auto-status "loaded": as soon as a tugmaster with unit enters the vessel geo-zone (RTK GNSS or beacon), status automatically changes to "loaded" — no manual confirmation from driver.
4.18 Paperless tally: tally cross-checks load list in real-time on mobile toughpad. On mismatch, automatic message to driver to correct.
4.12 Productivity level per vessel: in difficult weather or heavy lashing, foreman switches to config level b/c — automatically adjusts KPI expectations and alerts.
4.3 Combined moves: system combines a discharge move (import unit) with a load move (export unit) for the same tugmaster trip — fewer empty runs, higher efficiency.

⚙️ Equipment Management

45 use cases

Permission management per machine-operator combination, pre-shift checklists, real-time machine visibility and integration with Ultimo maintenance software. Covers rolling stock (tractors, reach stackers, forklifts) and slave units.

Authorization Module

Operator-machine rights based on training and certification. Machine restriction to authorized operators. Trackunit API integration for real-time access.

Pre-shift Checklist

Mandatory pre-use check per machine at logon. Record damage after check. Track statistics per machine.

SOP Communication

Messages and standard operating procedures automatically shown on toughpad at machine logon.

Machine Immobilization

Block machine immediately or after next move. Deactivate from TOS or Trackunit parameter alerts. OOS status pushes to Ultimo.

Timeout Registration

Registration of periods machines are not deployed. Distinguish planned/unplanned. Input for fleet utilization KPI.

Slave Management

Damage registration per slave. Immobilize. Location changes with Ultimo integration. Fixed fleet info synchronized from Ultimo.

Example Use Cases (complex / specific)

Trackunit parameter alert → block: on exceeding a set parameter (e.g. temp, shock), system automatically blocks machine and pushes an Ultimo work order.
Training-based assignment: planning tool assigns assets based on combined training status of operator and machine certification — not just availability.
Pre-shift via QR code: alternative input for pre-start checklist without toughpad — driver scans QR code on machine with own smartphone.

📊 Equipment Availability

30 use cases

Operational planning instrument for the Terminal Ops Manager: how many machines are available per shift, what is expected back, and does staffing have sufficient coverage?

Live Asset Database

Per asset: full details, maintenance status (awaiting parts, inspection ongoing), expected delivery and completion dates.

Workshop In/Out Tracking

Database shows per day which machines are in/out of workshop, with downtime duration. Historical analysis possible.

Manning vs. Equipment Coupling

Required staffing and equipment per shift. Shortages automatically identified. Forecast availability per returning machine.

Ops Shortfall Alerting

Notification when maintenance scheduling creates an operational shortfall — in time, not last-minute. Fleet capacity planning integration.

Example Use Cases (complex / specific)

Shift shortfall forecast: system calculates based on sailing schedule, fill rate, breakdowns and planned maintenance how many machines per shift are needed — and alerts if availability falls short.
Maintenance advance notice: create maintenance planning with sufficient advance notice so operations can anticipate — no last-minute blockages.

🚂 Rail

18 use cases

Automated inbound and outbound train processing. EDI manifests, computer vision verification via rail portal, RID compliance and pre-departure validation.

Automated Train Planning (outbound)

EDI manifest upload → automatic unit allocation to wagons. No manual coupling needed.

Computer Vision Rail Portal (inbound)

Camera system checks inbound train units vs. manifest. Anomalies flagged. RID compliance verified.

Pre-departure Validation

Outbound train fully checked before departure: cargo vs. manifest, RID, no hold units.

Example Use Cases (complex / specific)

CV anomaly detection: rail portal detects via computer vision deviations (e.g. damaged unit, wrong position, wrong wagon) and flags automatically for check before train leaves terminal.
Automatic wagon allocation: after EDI train manifest upload, system assigns each unit to the correct wagon based on destination, weight balance and RID segregation.

Administration

42 use cases

Reporting, KPI tracking, storage and quay registration, unit search and ISO process documentation. Central management instrument for all terminal domains.

Real-time Performance Dashboard

Live KPIs for gate, yard, vessel and assets. Threshold values with automatic alerts. Multi-terminal comparison.

Historical Reporting

Productivity per period, destination and transport mode. Exportable. Comparison Rotterdam / London / Killingholme.

Quay Order Reporting

Track chargeable vs. non-chargeable orders. Time registration per operation. Customer billing basis.

Storage Reporting

Timestamps per unit in storage zone. Customer-specific storage reporting. Input for demurrage calculations.

Unit Search

Search on M&N number. Standard 30-day visibility window. Quick unit location at multi-terminal level.

ISO Process Documentation

As-is and to-be processes documentable from the system. ISO audit support.

Technical / Maintenance Integration

217 use cases

The largest domain — almost entirely focused on integration between TOS, Ultimo (maintenance), Trackunit (machine tracking) and EV charging infrastructure (Kempower). Covers fleet lifecycle, checklists, data exports and maintenance workflow automation.

Ultimo ↔ TOS ↔ Trackunit Integration

Block/unblock equipment from Ultimo and Trackunit. OOS status pushes automatically generate Ultimo work orders. Machine specs synchronized.

Pre-use Checklists

Per machine at each use. Via toughpad or QR code (without toughpad). Damage registration after checklist. Statistics per machine.

Fleet Capacity Planning

Sailing schedule + fill rate + breakdowns + planned maintenance → fleet availability per day. Alert if maintenance creates ops shortfall.

Data Export & Data Lake

Raw machine data (logon, moves, hours) exportable. Crane data (moves, hour meters, weights) to data lake. Ultimo consultation via data lake.

EV Fleet — Kempower Integration

Charge optimization for electric terminal tractors. Charge outside grid peak load. Running hour equalization across fleet.

RTG Night Housekeeping

TOS delivers nightly pick-up predictions to RTG automation software for proactive repositioning.

Running Hours Tracking

Daily running hours and mileage per machine. Basis for preventive maintenance and equalization between equivalent assets.

Sensolus Volume Tracking

Tracking integration for line equipment via Sensolus. Insight into movement patterns and dwell time per zone.

Example Use Cases (complex / specific)

Kempower EV charge optimization: system spreads charging moments across the day to avoid grid peak load — combines sailing schedule (when machines are needed) with energy tariffs.
Ops shortfall notification: when tomorrow's maintenance schedule plans more machines than available for expected vessel movements, proactive alert to terminal ops manager.
Training + asset assignment: planning tool matches available operators to available machines based on combined training profiles — not just "machine free + operator free".
Trackunit parameter alert → automatic block: parameter exceedance (shock, temperature, hours) in Trackunit automatically triggers block in TOS and work order creation in Ultimo without manual intervention.