Warsama Guirreh is CEO of Djibouti Port Community System (DPCS), a subsidiary of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority. He was here in Addis Ababa to demonstrate the operations of the DPCS that was established about a year and half ago to harmonize the logistics activity with latest platform that the world is using now.
He is confident about the latest tracking functionalities of the Port Community System in facilitating the task of Ethiopian logistics community that enable them to follow the progress of their trucks and cargo transiting in Djibouti Ports from their offices in Ethiopia.
Capital sits with the CEO, to talk about the new system and its importance for Ethiopian logistic community. Excerpts;
Capital: Would you briefly tell us about your community and company?
Warsama Guirreh: Djibouti Port Community systems (DPCS) is the latest initiative from Djibouti Ports and free zones authority aimed at improving the efficiency of the logistics chain between Ethiopian and Djibouti. We have been working
for the better part for a year and half for the implementation of a port community system that will integrate our Djibouti and Ethiopian logistics. We have started with the implementation of single submission portal for Vessel operation management. Djibouti shipping agents currently submit all vessel arrival documentation through DPCS. Then we have to move on to cargo and corridor management services; such as online container booking, port gate-in/gate-out integration, tracking corridor checkpoint…etc.
Using a single electronic platform for Djibouti port and logistics community enables the Ethiopian logistics community to follow the process of their cargo transiting through Djibouti from their offices in Ethiopia.
Capital: So, what is available at this point in time?
Warsama Guirreh: At this point in time, Ethiopian transporters and forwarders are able to follow Ethiopian trucks coming into Djibouti. They can follow what time they arrive in Djibouti and enter inside the ports, what time they leave the port and what they carry in terms of cargo or containers. Previously there were many problems with accountability where drivers were transporting other cargo than what they were originally instructed to transport however now there is a way to see what is actually happening.
This is really important because there were so many ways the process could be interfered with.
Capital: Has Ethiopia been receptive?
Warsama Guirreh: They were very surprised and receptive! At the logistic conference here in Ethiopia when we have announced that tracking information is already available, it was met with lots of surprise. However, they have also affirmed that this was indeed very useful for their logistics operations.
Capital: Have the freight forwarders noticed any improvements?
Warsama Guirreh: There have been improvements in time and cost. The forwarders in Djibouti can save around 3-4 hours by carrying out all the port documentation process from their offices online. The Ethiopian forwarder can benefit by tracking the truck and cargo process from Ethiopia. We are taking the required measures to provide better transparency and better regional integration.
Capital: What is the progress with the railway?
Warsama Guirreh: We are currently working on process improvements and system integration with the railway operation company in Djibouti and their stakeholders. We hope to be able to finalize tracking of rail containers by the end of January for the container terminal. By the end of February, we hope to finalize tracking of rail cargo for the cargo terminal.
