UAB-Online and Dropboard bring berth planning into the operational workflow

UAB-Online, a cloud platform for digital collaboration in dry and liquid bulk logistics, and Dropboard, a planning and scheduling tool developed by Systems Navigator, are enhancing their integration to streamline berth planning within the operational workflow of terminals. Many terminals currently rely on spreadsheets, whiteboards, or separate planning tools to manage berth planning, which can hinder coordination among agents, surveyors, vessels, customers, and other stakeholders.

By integrating UAB-Online's pre-arrival coordination, Notice of Readiness, documentation, digital workflows, and stakeholder communication with Dropboard's planning capabilities, terminals can seamlessly incorporate planning into the operational context of port call preparation, coordination, and execution. This integration enables terminals to progress from basic digital planning to more sophisticated scheduling, starting with user-friendly drag-and-drop berth planning and shared visibility, while more complex planning needs can utilize Dropboard's advanced scheduling features.

The ultimate goal is to align planning with the operational workflow, enabling stakeholders to work from the same planning view, coordinate earlier, and minimize the need for calls, emails, and manual updates to understand their next steps. UAB-Online's vision, known as JIT Operations, focuses on moving terminals from manual coordination to digital workflows, shared planning, readiness-based coordination, and ultimately towards a more interconnected operational picture across stakeholders, systems, and data sources.

CEO Hans Bobeldijk highlighted that planning becomes more valuable when connected to the operational workflow surrounding a port call, as it reduces the reliance on spreadsheets or isolated tools and ensures that the actual operation depends on documents, NoR status, stakeholder coordination, and timely preparation. Systems Navigator's Director, Vincent de Gast, emphasized that Dropboard allows terminals to plan at the level of detail required, from simple berth planning to advanced scheduling that considers priorities, resources, and jetty constraints.

By integrating Dropboard into UAB-Online's operational workflow, terminals can bring planning and execution closer together, fostering a more efficient and collaborative approach to port calls.