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APM Terminals Pipavav’s latest digital initiative is expected to achieve significant environmental benefits, cost savings and improved safety. The terminal has developed an online version of Form 13, the gate-in permits issued by terminals that is required for each import/export container. Known as e-form 13, it will save close to 3 million kilometres of road trips and their associated carbon emissions each year, the terminal claims.
A statement from APM Terminals Pipavav added: “For the customer this translates into time and fuel cost savings. With many of these kilometres often covered by couriers on motorbikes this also means significantly less risk of fatal road traffic accidents. The new paperless system will also save millions of sheets of waste paper per year and speed up the processing.”
Previously at APM Terminals Pipavav, shipping lines would collect multiple documents to issue completed Form 13s for each import/export container. The truck arrived at the pre-gate waiting area and handed over the documents required to obtain Form 13 to take the container to the Gate In. The customs agent then took the documents on a 14km round trip to the shipping line’s office to submit the documentation, and wait for a manual Form 13. Once the trucker had Form 13, the details had to be entered in Terminal Operating System by a pre-gate clerk. Only then could the trucker enter the terminal.
Under the new scenario, the customs agent simply uploads the required documentation digitally onto the e-Form 13 platform. The shipping line verifies the uploaded documents via an approval screen and digitally approves them. This triggers an Approval Transaction Number and the Terminal Operating System is updated with the necessary information. The agent then sends the Approval Transaction Number to the driver via text message, which enables the truck to pass through the gate.
