)){kind=small}
The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest seaport, welcoming around 28,000 seagoing vessels each year. Every vessel visit that makes use of port facilities, such as loading and unloading, waste processing or berthing, contributes to port dues. These revenues form an important income stream that enables the Port of Rotterdam Authority to invest in the continued development of the port..
An outdated system, new ambitions
In 2017, the Port of Rotterdam decided to innovate its port dues process. Maaike Kuiters, Product Owner PortAbillity®: “The collection of port dues is a business-critical process for us. We wanted to make it more customer-friendly and efficient, and flexible enough to support new pricing and settlement models. In addition, one of our core systems needed replacement.”
From proof of concept to practice
Following a European tender involving more than twenty parties, FIQAS was selected as partner to renew the invoicing process. As part of this trajectory, a proof of concept was carried out and the software quality was independently assessed by the Software Improvement Group (SIG). FIQAS was the only party to pass the final selection successfully, both technically and functionally.
The result: an integrated solution based on the Abillity® platform, with a central role for PortAbillity®: the input portal developed by FIQAS specifically for the collection of seaport dues. Shipping agents (also known as cargadoors) enter their data in the portal, after which the system automatically calculates and invoices the port dues. Abillity® takes all applicable rules and conditions into account.
“Our customers now have real-time insight into their invoices and discounts. They can submit, review and correct these online themselves before they are sent. Usability has increased enormously.”
Maaike Kuiters, Product Owner PortAbillity®
An input portal that handles complex rates
The input is anything but standard. The pricing of seaport dues depends on many factors, including:
- Cargo type and volume handled (loading and/or unloading of goods)
- Length of stay and type of berth (quay, buoy or dolphin)
- Vessel type and vessel size
- Sustainability measures (for example, emission reduction)
- Exemptions and exceptions, such as for naval vessels and tugboats
- Special rates for, for instance, liner services
PortAbillity® supports all these variables, validates the input immediately and automatically calculates the correct charges – including discounts, surcharges and exceptions. Thanks to smart status flows, users can make corrections themselves within the portal. Once the data is correct, the cargadoor confirms the declaration and the invoice is automatically generated and sent digitally: self-billing in practice.
All relevant data (including data from other systems) is collected centrally and used at the right moment, ensuring a single source of truth at all times. Rob Geleijn, Director of FIQAS: “PortAbillity® brings input, rating and invoicing together in one system. Through direct and intelligent validation of entered data, errors are prevented as much as possible at the front end. This improves data quality and makes the process faster and more reliable, with a pleasant and consistent user experience. We are extremely proud to contribute in this way to both the ambitions and the daily operations of the Port of Rotterdam.”
Error-free self-billing: fast and transparent
Where an invoice for a vessel visit used to be sent on average three weeks after departure, this has now been reduced to just two days. Today, around 98% of the invoicing process runs fully automatically, without manual intervention by the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
Previously, two-thirds of invoices required manual adjustment. Now, manual processing is only needed when the process deliberately requires it, for example in the case of exceptions or specific discount arrangements. These requests are also handled digitally via the input portal.
The impact is significant: the number of corrections on automatically invoiced declarations has fallen sharply, and even where manual checks are required, they are almost always approved immediately. Customers experience the process as faster, more transparent and clearer. Internally, it delivers time savings and greater control.
Smartly connected within a complex IT landscape
PortAbillity® acts as a central hub within a complex IT landscape, with integrations to various applications, including the port management system that records vessel movements. Through APIs, the system retrieves up-to-date information about vessels (Lloyd’s), customers, berths and reservations. By integrating real-time data, where PortAbillity® constructs vessel visits and movements (voyages) within the port based on ship movements, and applying smart front-end data validation, the process has become not only more efficient but also far more robust. In addition, the Abillity® platform meets the stringent security requirements that apply to organisations operating within the Netherlands’ vital infrastructure.
“What’s great is that all links – from data input to invoice – are connected. That ensures a single source of truth and real-time insight for everyone. The system moves with what the market and the Port of Rotterdam need.”
Dave Buskermolen, Product Owner at FIQAS
A flexible solution that grows with the port
The collaboration between the Port of Rotterdam and FIQAS is close and long-term. With weekly contact moments, continuous development based on practical insights, and updates that respond to changing legislation and customer requirements, the system remains current and scalable.
In May 2019, PortAbillity® was officially launched, marked by the generation of the first invoice by the then CFO of the Port of Rotterdam. Since then, PortAbillity® has been continuously enhanced. Sub-processes have been added, scalability has been maintained, and PortAbillity® remains fully up to date in terms of security and maintenance.
“For us, FIQAS is more than a supplier,” says Maaike. “As partners, we switch quickly, think ahead and continuously improve. That’s what makes the difference”
