Container terminal operator Modern Terminals Limited today launched the first portal designed to provide comprehensive on-line services for the Hong Kong shipping community using its container terminals. The new portal, ModernPorts.com (www.ModernPorts.com), provides an electronic platform for the community to exchange shipping information and documentation, which will greatly enhance the efficiency of their logistics cycles.

Describing the significance of the portal, Modern Terminals' Managing Director, Erik Bogh Christensen, noted that it will help strengthen Hong Kong's position as the strategic logistics hub for the region. "Shipping logistics operations in Hong Kong are rather inefficient as a lot of business flows are still paper-based and communications among players in the logistics chain are one-to-one.

"ModernPorts.com will provide an integrated information network that electronically links different sectors of the shipping community, instantly providing them with valuable data and solutions to match their respective needs. In this way, it will help them speed up their business flow and reduce time-consuming paperwork. It is backed by our in-depth experience as Hong Kong's longest-established container terminal operator, as well as the strong capability of our container terminal operations," Mr Christensen said.

While many other portals associated with the industry aim to address issues between transport providers and buyers, ModernPorts.com focuses on serving all sectors of the Hong Kong shipping community, including shipping lines, shippers, consignees, hauliers and forwarders.

Services available initially on the portal include:

• Container Tracking
• Barge Operations
• Traffic Reports
• Weather Conditions and Terminal Arrangements during Typhoons
• Industrial and News Links
• Reference Materials

More important features will be progressively added during the next 12 months, such as an Appointment System, Ship Schedules, Equipment Management, Cargo Management, Cargo Declarations, Import and Export Logistics and Inventory Inquiry. In addition, the company's Customer Information Services system, which can now also be accessed through ModernPorts.com, will be fully integrated into it in the next phase.

"The establishment of ModernPorts.com demonstrates Modern Terminals' commitment to deploying the latest technology to provide the best service to the shipping community. The new one-stop portal will help the shipping community reengineer their business processes and enhance the competitive edge of Hong Kong over other ports in the region." Mr Christensen added.

Modern Terminals is the longest established container terminal operator in Hong Kong, with the territory's first purpose-built container terminal opened in September, 1972. In 1999, it won Hong Kong Productivity Council Productivity Award for Services.

Issued by Modern Terminals Limited
(Portal site: http://www.ModernPorts.com
Web site: http://www.ModernTerminals.com)