User experience's role in Improving efficiency in dry bulk and conventional shipping

User experience (UX) is becoming a transformative force within the dry bulk and conventional shipping sectors, especially as software and technology platforms used in the global shipping industry evolve, writes Chris Day-Ault, Product Manager, Advent eModal.

 

Shipping technology platforms, like port community, gate scheduling and terminal operating systems, are increasingly designed to make operations more efficient and intuitive, ensuring logistics professionals can access real-time, easy-to-navigate tools for managing market changes and complex tasks. With greater access to intuitive technology, shippers in the dry bulk and conventional industries are redefining traditional workflows by simplifying complex procedures and boosting operational performance.

 

Shipping leaders are turning to more intuitive and advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and user interactions across their operations. The recent emphasis on UX is essential for shipping stakeholders aiming to secure a competitive advantage in a rapidly changing market.

 

The drive for enhanced UX in shipping stems from the need to boost operational efficiency and minimize errors. As expectations for seamless digital experiences rise, shipping companies must enhance their platforms to ensure they are both intuitive and effective. Shipping professionals are also more accustomed to interacting with strong UX in their personal lives and have similar expectations of quality and ease of use across their professional tools. This demand has driven software providers to create solutions that are not only robust and efficient but also user-friendly and intuitive, meeting the high standards of today’s logistics workforce. Features in port community platforms like streamlined entry processing and easy-to-understand data presentation ensure that these tools will improve productivity and performance while also offering a better experience for users like truckers and other logistics groups.

 

As logistics stakeholders increasingly expect seamless experiences as in their personal lives, the impact of superior UX is becoming more apparent across all aspects of shipping operations. User-friendly interfaces can contribute to heightened productivity, reduced wait times, and improved communication. Platforms like Advent eModal’s port community system and appointment scheduling tools demonstrate these benefits, facilitating more organized shipping operations, reduced congestion and overall enhanced operational efficiency.

Enhanced UX platforms provide logistics professionals with the tools to make faster, better-informed decisions through near real-time data visibility. This increase in transparency helps users identify potential issues before they become critical, allowing for swift adjustments and less disruptions in the supply chain.

 

Platforms with intuitive interfaces that clearly display appointments and accessible reports on historical data enable greater predictability. Predictability through these tools helps operators effectively manage fluctuations in shipping schedules, allowing for more accurate workload distribution, optimal truck utilization and increased throughput.

 

Improved efficiency through UX platforms also helps reduce queue times at the terminal. Shorter queues result in lower emissions, which positively contributes to sustainability initiatives. To sustain these operational improvements, terminals are turning to advanced technologies, like automated port platforms and AI, to enhance decision-making and optimize workflows.

 

For example, Advent eModal, Tideworks Technology and Camco Technologies implemented modernized solutions at Genesee & Wyoming (G&W)'s UK operations to improve vehicle booking and gate management. While improved UX was not the key goal of the project, access to a platform with real-time insight into appointment slots made it easier to review, select and predict gate check-ins and turn times. This led to a significant reduction in gate queues within a week, with wait times at the Birmingham terminal dropping from 2 hours to just 20 minutes. Like G&W, many terminals are upgrading their technology stacks to modernize systems and ensure the seamless movement of goods. Strong UX is a competitive differentiator that improves the working experience of the individuals using these tools and the productivity of their output.

 

The shipping industry, known for its inherent complexities, is undergoing a significant overhaul through tech innovation with tech investments set to increase. Companies like Advent eModal are leading this transition by continually updating their systems to incorporate advancements in areas like automation, which can enhance tasks like appointment booking and container entries. Reducing manual work minimizes human data entry errors, which can be costly in terms of time and money for various stakeholders.

In addition to automation, advancements in AI and machine learning are revolutionizing logistics platforms by enabling predictive responses to common operational scenarios. AI technologies ensure systems can adapt seamlessly to sudden changes while maintaining operational continuity.

 

Although the adoption of emerging technologies is revolutionizing shipping operations, integrating them into UX and workflow design can present its own set of challenges. The key is developing interfaces that simplify complex processes without overwhelming users. Port technology providers must create interfaces tailored to specific logistics workflows, ensuring they support efficient task management while remaining accessible and intuitive. This targeted approach to design is crucial in reducing operational inefficiencies and enhancing overall user satisfaction.

 

Well-designed platforms involve a deep understanding of the end-to-end shipping processes to ensure that every element of the interface adds value and reduces complexity for the users. UX designers can effectively develop quality user interfaces by focusing on specific needs, such as data entry errors and navigation difficulties, which often reduce operational speed and accuracy. Port and terminal decision-makers evaluating tools should make sure tech providers can demonstrate interfaces that are powerful yet easy to use. They should also be able to speak to how they plan to continue advancing their shipping management tools as technology progresses.

 

As the global supply chain evolves, so does the technology that powers it. Emerging tools like AI, automation, and IoT are set to redefine UX and user interactions to enhance operational performance further. Predictive analytics, AI-driven decision-making and business intelligence tools will help increase operational efficiency so logistics professionals can focus on strategic growth and less on routine tasks.

 

Investing in UX is no longer optional; it’s a strategic move that can enhance customer satisfaction, reduce costs and drive sustainable growth in today’s technology-driven logistics landscape. Stakeholders that prioritize UX will improve efficiency, better navigate disruptions and boost productivity.

 

Chris Day-Ault is Product Manager of Freight Funds at Advent eModal (AeM), the world’s largest port community provider. In his role, Chris supports AeM’s vision of optimizing the supply chain through digitizing the flow of intermodal freight and funds. With more than 20 years of experience in the IT space, Chris has a unique blend of technology and operational perspectives utilized for intermodal needs. Before joining AeM, Chris founded Day-Ault Solutions Ltd and held positions at Bentley Compton Consulting Limited and Genesee & Wyoming, serving a range of roles in consulting, project management and program management. Chris has a BS in mathematics from Newcastle University and an MS in business information technology from Northumbria University.