UAB-Online and Dropboard deepen terminal planning

UAB-Online and Dropboard are deepening their integration to help terminals connect berth planning with day-to-day port call coordination, bringing planning closer to the operational workflow.

Many terminals continue to manage berth planning through spreadsheets, whiteboards or separate planning tools. While these approaches can support internal planning, they can make it harder for agents, surveyors, vessels, customers and other stakeholders to maintain a shared view of the latest operational situation.

“Planning becomes more valuable when it is connected to the operational workflow around a port call,” said Hans Bobeldijk, chief executive of UAB-Online. “By bringing Dropboard planning capabilities into UAB-Online, terminals can move towards a shared planning environment that supports operational readiness rather than manual coordination.”

UAB-Online already provides terminals with a secure environment for pre-arrival coordination, Notice of Readiness, documentation, digital workflows and stakeholder communication. Integrating Dropboard’s planning capabilities allows berth planning and scheduling to sit within the same operational context used to prepare, coordinate and execute port calls.

The integration provides a path from straightforward digital berth planning to more advanced scheduling. Teams can use drag-and-drop planning and shared visibility, while terminals with more complex requirements can access Dropboard’s advanced scheduling capabilities, including planning around priorities, resources and jetty constraints.

“Dropboard helps terminals plan at the level of detail they need,” said Vincent de Gast, sirector of Systems Navigator. “By connecting this planning capability with UAB-Online’s operational workflow, we make it easier for terminals to bring planning and execution closer together.”

The companies said the integration can help reduce calls, emails and manual updates by giving stakeholders a shared planning view and clearer understanding of what is expected next.

The development also supports UAB-Online’s wider Just-in-Time Operations vision, which aims to help terminals progress from manual coordination towards digital workflows, shared planning, readiness-based coordination and a more connected operational picture.