Yard management systems are the future of maritime logistics, helping improve the operational efficiency and revenue generation of container yards. Yard operations include handling containers, trailers, equipment, and vehicles inside the port. A management system is required to govern the proper functioning of yards and streamline their workings. With advancements in technology, container yards are being upgraded with the help of management systems to boost operational efficiency. Let us learn more about yard management systems.

What is a management system in logistics?

Logistics is strategizing and efficiently implementing transportation from one place to another. Various logistics activities include procurement, storage, packing, and transporting goods. To be conducted systematically and efficiently, all these processes must be streamlined and optimised. Logistics management helps improve the planning, execution, and optimization of logistics activities. 

The supply chain demand is constantly rising, and customers are looking for cost-effective and faster delivery services to enhance their experience. It is only possible when the initial logistics phases are completed, from inventory management and warehousing to raw material outsourcing. Once the finished goods are shipped, the task of the logistics management is to identify reliable suppliers and distributors to export goods. Logistics management system helps automate the logistics process to enhance operational efficiency, minimise human errors, and optimise the supply chain from beginning to end. In maritime, logistics operations are managed on port facilities to improve the turnaround time of ships and timely container stowage on ships. Yard management is an essential component of maritime logistics. Let us learn more about yard management.

What is yard management in logistics?

Yards are maritime infrastructures within shipping ports that act as temporary storage spaces for handling and managing shipping containers after they are unloaded or loaded onto vessels. These are open spaces where containers are stacked and stored using various handling equipment, such as forklifts and cranes. Container yards also act as intermodal storage spaces where containers arriving from other locations using various means of transport, such as trains or trucks, are stored.

It is essential to manage all port activities, including those on the ports. Yard management also supervises the designating of vehicles and trailers for shipments. The yard management system is a software solution that automates yard activities to allow systematic movement and placement of shipping containers and trailers inside the container yard. In short, the yard management system controls all outbound and inbound shipments, vehicles, and equipment required for container handling.

Benefits of the yard management system

The advantages of using a yard management system are as follows – 

1. Real-time visibility – Yard operations are continuous and require real-time data visibility to track the movements of vehicles, equipment and containers in and out of the yard. The clarity of knowing the exact location of resources inside the yard helps prevent delays and avoid trailers and vehicles sitting idle. 
2. Space management – Yard spaces must be utilised optimally to extract maximum benefits. When several shipments are going in and out of the yard at peak hours, it becomes challenging to know and use the empty spaces’ location. A yard management system helps effectively route vehicles and prevent potential bottlenecks. 
3. Dock scheduling – Multiple docks are located at shipping ports, and containers or vehicles are scheduled to reach them whenever available. A yard management system helps in effective dock scheduling to reduce downtime and facilitate the unconstrained movement of goods. This way, the warehouse team can be immediately alerted about dock schedules to be prepared with resources. 
4. Improves operational efficiency – Manual yard management involves a lot of paperwork, guesswork, and miscommunication, and it becomes challenging to track the resources at all times. This leads to more risks of errors and delays in yard operations. With yard management systems, authorities expect an effective resource allocation automatically. It also helps evenly distribute logistics activities in a time frame to reduce idle time. By using technology, yards can reduce labour costs and improve productivity. 
5. Increased security – Using technology in yard management helps track and supervise the movement of each resource inside the yard in real-time. In cases of errors, transparency helps identify points where a breakdown occurred and provides a quick fix. It is a reliable way of managing the yard, adding an extra layer to securing containers, shipments, and resources. 

Working of the yard management system 

Image Concept Source: Altexsoft

Yard management systems help automate logistics activities by collecting data from port maritime activities. Let’s learn more about the tasks performed by a yard management system.

1. Scheduling appointments – Containers and other maritime resources can only be used through systematic allocation to docks, which occurs through booking carriers. An appointment is scheduled with a shipping carrier, and vehicle details are collected for verification.
2. Efficient gate management– Yard management systems help automate gate check-in and check-out processes. It helps allocate parking space for trailers, reducing wait times for drivers and improving overall throughput at the facility. Gate management allows faster communication between the drivers and the dock team to notify that arrival. 
3. Dock scheduling and management– Prior dock scheduling helps reduce delays and congestion. Yard management systems facilitate the scheduling and management of dock doors to ensure that the trailers are assigned to the appropriate dock for loading or unloading promptly. This helps reduce idle time and maximise dock utilisation, improving overall productivity.
4. Inventory management – The yard management system effectively uses technology to provide inventory tracking, allowing yard managers to accurately monitor the inventory levels of trailers, containers, and other assets in the yard. It ensures equipment availability when needed and helps prevent stockouts or operations delays.
5. Allocating tasks to spotters– The spotters move trailers and containers in the yard. Upon the availability of docks, the spotter is notified to fetch and move the trailer to the dock door.

Technology used in yard management

1. RFID – Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a commonly used container tracking technology that uses radio frequency signals to automatically identify and track trailers, containers, and other assets within the yard. For this, RFID tags are attached to equipment, and an RFID reader helps scan and provides real-time visibility into the location and status of assets. 
2. GPS – Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is used across the logistics industry to track the location of vehicles and optimise routes for effective management. In yard management, GPS-enabled devices installed on vehicles such as cranes and forklifts transmit location data to a central system, enabling precise tracking and monitoring.
3. BLE – Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology is used in yards to maximise energy use while carrying out automated logistics operations. Bluetooth beacons store information on an item by receiving radio signals from personal networks. They are used to efficiently manage inventory and other assets. BLE also helps in faster scanning of all resources and assets in and out of the yard.

These technologies are used in yard management systems, allowing container yards to improve operational efficiency. If the container yard is busy, shippers prefer inland container yards for the same purpose.

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