Scheduling truck delivery and pickup of liquid chemicals and fuels has become even more efficient for Vopak North America customers and their carriers. Four U.S. terminals have recently implemented an online Slot Booking System (SBS), making it possible for a customer or carrier to easily, quickly and efficiently find available slot times online for loading/unloading at whatever time is most convenient for them. SBS can be accessed directly from the home page of the recently-updated Vopak Americas website [image A].

According to Montiano Blom, Commercial Excellence Initiatives Manager, SBS connects operational capabilities and planning with Vopak’s customer service needs. Customers can assign reference numbers to orders and carriers can track their loads via this reference number. “SBS is fully integrated with our terminal core IT system. What this means for our customers and carriers is that they now have 24/7 web access to a scheduling system that contains almost real time updated information,” noted Blom.

In addition, Vopak North America can now produce reports to support analysis on how effective scheduling has become. Customers and carriers can opt to receive an email notification reporting if the carrier arrived late at the terminal.

In the very near future, the SBS website will include several documents for customers and carriers to download, which will assist in further streamlining truck processing at Vopak North America terminals. Currently, carriers can find truck loading check-in forms for general and caustic/water blend deliveries and pick-ups [Image B].

Parent company, Royal Vopak, developed and launched SBS two years ago in the Netherlands for three Vopak terminals. Vopak North America’s Deer Park and Galena Park terminals launched SBS in March, with Long Beach, CA and Savannah, GA terminals following in May 2010.

With the Slot Booking System, Vopak North America is delivering a higher service level for customers and their carriers.

For more information and user regulations, please visit www.vopakamericas.com/truck-slot-booking.