Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has launched the Maqta Gateway system, an electronic system that will improve the efficiency of the commercial activity and will facilitate connections between national and international ports, authorities and operators from all transport modes. Also, the system will provide necessary information to all parties involved in the logistics chain from shipper to consignee.
Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), the company which manages and operates the Musaffah, Khalifa and Zayedtrade ports, the port of Khalifa and those in the Western Region, records growths in the volumes of handled transport: in the first half of 2014, the increase was of 37% compared to 2013.
While the economic growth of Abu Dhabi explains part of the freight volume growth, ADPC consolidates its relationship with partners to maximise the efficiency of the logistics chain. Also, the initiated infrastructure projects are very important for the development and increase of activity.
A recent project for increasing the efficiency of the activity and for facilitating international connections is the launch (in December) of an innovative project for the entire community of ports: “Maqta Gateway”.
“Maqta Gateway” is an electronic system designed in conformity with international standards that will serve, through interconnectivity, all companies and authorities involved in the entire transport system. By adopting a new level of the “one-stop-shop” concept, Maqta Gateway will provide ports, exporters, importers, transport operators and authorities, and a single contact point, real-time information while significantly increasing processing times and communication procedures.
“Maqta Gateway” will support the facilitation of the next generation of Abu Dhabi commercial activity and will significantly transform the “doing business” concept in the Emirates. It will increase the efficiency of import and export activities, the cargo receipt and delivery processes will be transparent and, therefore, the logistics chain will be much more cost and time efficient”, declared Mohammed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of ADPC.
As around 90% of global trade is carried out by sea, ADPC ports are vital logistics hubs for Abu Dhabi trade and services. Consequently, the optimisation of trade in the ADPC ports focus on the implementation of the latest technologies and cooperation of all parties involved.
By introducing the Maqta Gateway system, ADPC is the first organisation in the GCC region to become member of the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA), a global institution which promotes the highest standards regarding the facilitation of trade and use of electronic communication platforms.
When launching the Maqta Gateway, governmental entities, ADPC and partner organisations have become integrated part in the development of the system for which they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Etihad Rail has also signed this MoU. The company is a very important link in UAE’s economic system as the objective of the long-term strategy is sustainable development and the significant reduction of oil dependency. The transport strategy emphasises the necessity of developing the railway segment.
The network will be built in several phases by supplying connections between the densely populated areas and the industrial areas of UAE and will be vital part of the GCC railway network which links 6 countries. The GCC railway project would be finalised in 2018 with necessary financing amounting to USD 298 Billion.
Easy, safe and fast, from and to all destinations
Maqta Gateway contributes to reducing time for necessary procedures while increasing productivity, the efficiency of human resources and traffic.
For example, when goods need to be shipped from any port of the world to Abu Dhabi, the authorisation agents send to the Maqta Gateway the documents with the notification on the ship arrival, the presentation of the type of freight and size of content, the port discharge model and the required/necessary transport modes for freight delivery to the consignee. Maqta Gateway will provide all details to the importer/exporter and to transport operators, as well as to the authorities involved, allowing all parties to monitor the progress with transport and location in real time. When the ship reaches an ADPC port, the system simultaneously notifies all parties involved in the logistics chain.
Also, if the control authorities demands a periodical verification, the user will receive a notification providing details on the verification process and potential conclusions. It is the same customs control that will review all the information supplied in conformity with normal procedures. At the same time, the Maqta Gateway system sends notifications to transport operators on the arrival of containers and sends back to the authorities the information update on the time of freight arrival. At the end, the shipment is delivered to the consignee and all parties involved in the process receive information about the finalisation of the entire process.
The system will ensure constant transport flow and logistics operations involving the Abu Dhabi ports, airports and railway networks. Moreover, it will be integrated in the global system of the communication and transport platforms and will stimulate development and trade in the Emirates.
by Pamela Luică
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