The Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports (C4NGP) at CDE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Haulio, Singapore's largest digital haulier, to develop and commercialise a haulage scheduling algorithm aimed at enhancing productivity in Singapore's logistics sector.
The Smart Haulage Scheduler (SHS), to be jointly developed by the two parties, aims to be a first-of-its-kind dynamic haulage scheduling solution designed to tackle a range of inefficiencies in the haulage industry.
C4NGP will use its expertise to develop the algorithm that supports the SHS.
Founded in 2016, Haulio is a digital platform designed to help the container haulage industry optimise their resources through better handling of the peaks and troughs of the business. Operating as a B2B platform, Haulio pools together ports, truckers and customers to match incoming hauling requirements to available hauliers.
The MOU was signed on behalf of Haulio by co-founder Sebastian Shen, a graduate of NUS Project and Facilities Management, Class of 2014, who is now the platform's Chief Product Officer.
Optimal planning
Under the MOU signed with C4NGP, the SHS will aim to address various inefficiencies from container tracking, drivers' working schedules and vessel delays, to inaccurate weather and traffic predictions which can lead to poor routing strategies for hauling vehicles.
The SHS scheduling algorithm will enable controllers of haulage fleets to make optimal planning decisions for a list of incomplete jobs at any time, taking into consideration evolving traffic and weather conditions in real time.
The MOU on developing the algorithm was signed at Haulio's 5th Anniversary Celebration Dinner held on 6 December. Associate Professor Benjamin Tee Chee Keong, Vice Dean Research at CDE, signed on behalf of NUS.
Speaking at the event, Alvin Ea, CEO and Co-founder of Haulio said: "With tomorrow in mind, Haulio will work with C4NGP to contribute its collective wisdom and applied industry experiences that we have acquired as a digital haulier in the last five years, while C4NGP will provide its algorithm research capabilities to develop a haulage scheduling algorithm."
'Better visibility'
Sebastian Shen, Haulio's Chief Product Officer, said: "Instead of individual hauliers developing new proprietary systems, the SHS will be more effective to level up digitalisation across the industry. The SHS will greatly boost productivity and eliminate all manual planning activities, enabling hauling teams to have better visibility and control over their fleet and operations, and the potential to manage a larger fleet."
He added: "With a shortage of trained traffic controllers, the SHS also frees up more time for operations teams to focus on higher value work and critical operational problems like service recovery, vehicle maintenance issues, customer service and driver management.
Jointly established by NUS and SMI in 2018, C4NGP is an S$18 million research centre to help Singapore's maritime and port industries develop innovative capabilities and enhance their global competitiveness. C4NGP aims to be a world-leading research centre in modelling, simulation, and optimisation of next-generation ports and maritime systems, collaborating closely with companies in Singapore's maritime and port sectors to improve their technical know-how, efficiency and productivity, and contributing to Singapore's economic development and society. C4NGP is housed in NUS, under CDE.
