ThePortofPortofSpain’sperformance in
2013, featuringboth improvedvolumes
andproductivity, isa testament to the
abilityof theoperations team, as
indicatedbyRicardoGonzales,Divisional
Manager,Operations (Ag.), andPatricia
Persad,ManagerLogistics (Ag.), tomake
themostof the toolsandspaceavailable.
“Primarily,wehavebeen reaping the
benefitsof our upgradedTerminalOperating
System, Navis SPARCSN4,”saysGonzales, “and
weare sustainingour goodperformanceby
optimising thewaywework.”
Movesper hour increasedby23% in2013
and throughputwas 4%more in2013,
comparedwith2012,while truck turnaround
times improvedby27%.
While thefigures are impressive, Gonzales
andPersaddonot point to themasproof of
theport’s vibrancy. Theyprefer to look
forwardandembrace the latest thinking in
maritimeoperational strategy. For them,
measuringperformance through
productivitymeasures suchas throughput
and turnaround timedoesnot providea true
reflectionof efficiency.While theymay
provide some insights, these snap-shot
indicators are in fact activitymeasures rather
thanperformancemeasures,whichcanbe
misleading, and shouldnot beconsideredas
indicationsof success.
“Somany factorsgo intomakingaport
efficient andeffective,”believes Persad, “and
everyport isdifferent, responding to
Operations
Theroadtosustainability
“Primarily,wehavebeen reaping thebenefits
ofourupgradedTerminalOperatingSystem,
andwearesustainingourgoodperformance
byoptimising thewaywework.”
RicardoGonzales–DivisionalManager,
Operations (Ag.)
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