Workshop Preparation Questions
This preparation requirement is necessary for next week’s (Week 5) workshop activities.
This refers to Textbook Chapter 4 Requirement:
/Read case Study 4 –PSA Cruising with Information System. Answer the Discussion Questions 4-9, 4-
10, 4-11 (500 words approx. total)
4.9 How is PSA taking the help of information systems in order to manage the containers at the Port
of Singapore?
The PSA uses information systems to effectively manage the containers in the Port of Singapore
through the Computer Integrated Terminal Operations System, also known as CITOS. This system is
the key to the success of PSA as whenever a ship arrives near the port, CITOS allocates an
appropriate berth to the ship for a specified time and decides upon the number of cranes that will be
required to unload the containers into the stacking yard. Given, that there will be a high volume of
containers and arrival of ships, it seems that it is difficult to manage the port, however it is possible
as there are machine operators using real-time wireless data transmission, which significantly assists
in the management of the containers. CITOS also has various subsystems to complete the tasks at
the port. In context of managing the movement of containers the specific information system or
subsystem of CITOS that is essential to this process is the Container Recognition Subsystem. This
subsystem helps to recognize each character of the container ID, and automatically cross checks with
existing record of expected containers. It is also able to read and recognise the container with
precision, even though if the ship’s number may not be clearly visible, as this system involves neural
network software. In this way the containers are managed and maintained successfully. Other
subsystems such as the Gate Automation System assist in the management of these containers, as it
determines the weight of the containers and it can assign a location for the delivery of the
containers, all within 45 seconds.
4.10 Discuss the application of the information system in reducing the turnaround time of ships at
the Port of Singapore?
PSA continues to overcome possible challenges through the implementation of information systems
as another subsystem of CITOS, known as the Yard Planning Expert Subsystem This reduces the
turnaround time of ships as this system sorts containers for the optimum utilization of yard space. It
judges based on the space available and allocates the ships based on the amount of containers,
which saves time.
4.11 How is the information systems being applied to maintain coordination between PSA and the
shipping companies coming to the Port of Singapore?
The information system being applied to maintain this coordination is the through PORTNET.
PORTNET is an EDI facility and it maintains the coordination through shipping companies sending a
message through the system to PSA, before the arrival of a ship in Singapore. The company will
indicate the time/date of the arrival and the number of containers on board. Once this information is
received, it is transferred to CITOS and the whole network then manages the scheduling of the
unloading and the loading of the containers.