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When a vessel runs late, the trucks booked to meet it still turn up. This article sets out which ETA changes inland transport needs to hear about, and how fast.

Written for: Operations leadership and IT owners at carriers, terminals and inland transport

Contents
  1. Not every change matters to everyone
  2. What a useful notification contains
  3. Costs to keep in mind
  4. Why this capability matters

A haulier plans a fleet of trucks around a vessel's arrival. The vessel is delayed by a day. Nobody tells the haulier until the trucks are already at the terminal gate. The trucks wait, or return empty and come back tomorrow.

The information existed. It did not reach the people who needed it in time to act.

Not every change matters to everyone

A vessel's ETA changes many times during a voyage. Sending every change to every party creates noise that people learn to ignore. Decide which changes trigger a notification and to whom.

Change Who needs to know Typical action
Small shift within the planned window Terminal Adjust gate and yard planning
Delay beyond the planned pickup window Hauliers with units on board Re-plan truck dispatch
Port call added, removed or reordered Terminal, hauliers, customers Re-plan delivery and pickup
Arrival earlier than planned Terminal, hauliers Bring dispatch forward if possible

The thresholds above are examples. Each operation sets its own.

What a useful notification contains

  • The vessel, voyage and port.
  • The new ETA and the previous one.
  • What the change means for the recipient's units.
  • When the next update is expected.

Costs to keep in mind

Wasted truck trips, driver hours and terminal waiting cost money. Who pays them depends on the contracts and terms between the parties. Clear and timely notifications reduce the cost, whoever ends up carrying it.

Notifications after discharge are a separate step, covered in Discharged is not ready for pickup.

Why this capability matters

Delays happen on every trade. What separates a well-run operation is how fast the people affected hear about them. Timely, relevant notifications cut wasted trips and waiting, and build trust with hauliers and customers.

Related reading

Define your notification rules

List which ETA changes your hauliers and terminals need to know about, and how quickly. Bring the list to a conversation about notification rules.

Cartagena builds these capabilities together with each customer, as tailored solutions on the Microsoft platform.

Discuss ETA notifications