The Port of Felixstowe will be introducing a Vehicle Booking System (VBS) at its container terminals in early 2007. As part of the implementation process, a selection of hauliers will be invited to take part in initial trials of the system towards the end of this year.

Currently, the Port experiences daily "peaks and troughs" of hauliers arriving at the terminals due to customer demand for certain delivery times. VBS will place a limit on the maximum number of hauliers allowed in any one-hour period and, by allowing us to anticipate daily traffic flows, will help to ensure that sufficient resources are made available to meet demand.

The introduction of VBS at the Port of Felixstowe will allow customers to play an active role in reducing the turnaround times for drivers arriving at the terminals. As a result, drivers will receive a better service because the system will largely eliminate the current high levels of rejections caused by missing, or incorrect, information, and will significantly reduce the queues in front of the gates at peak periods.

Key to the successful introduction of VBS will be regular communications with our customers, and it is our intention to develop the system taking into account customers’ views and observations, at every stage of the implementation process. We will ensure that all interested parties are made aware of the date for mandatory compliance with VBS well in advance.

We believe that VBS, combined with our ongoing commitment to investing in the latest technology and equipment, will enable us to deliver a significantly enhanced level of service to our customers in the future.

For further information on VBS, please click here