AI for Dock Operations | TMI Technology
Dock Operations

Berth availability, labor gangs, and cargo handling all need to line up before the vessel arrives.

Dock operations run on sequencing - the right equipment, the right labor, and the right berth all ready when the vessel is ready. When any piece is late, the vessel waits and the dock operation pays. Managing that coordination from a whiteboard and phone calls creates the delays that show up as demurrage charges and lost customers.

The Problem

Dock scheduling gaps cost money the moment a vessel idles at anchor waiting for a berth.

Every hour a vessel waits at anchor costs the operator money - and the dock operation that couldn't clear the berth is where the blame lands. Dispatch calls, equipment breakdowns, and labor gang shortages that could have been anticipated weren't, because the information wasn't in one place.

01

Berth Scheduling Conflicts

Two vessels with overlapping windows, one berth, and no systematic way to flag the conflict until both agents are asking for confirmation. Resolving it after the fact means one vessel waits and the relationship takes the hit - often with the wrong customer getting the short end.

02

Labor Gang Coordination

Stevedore gangs scheduled against projected vessel arrivals that shift by hours. When labor is called but the vessel is delayed, standby charges accrue. When labor isn't called and the vessel arrives early, cargo handling starts late. Neither outcome is acceptable and both are predictable with better information.

03

Cargo Handling Charge Capture

Wharfage, stevedoring, storage, and overtime charges all need to be captured during the vessel call. When capture happens after the ship departs, charges get missed, rates get applied to the wrong cargo, and the final invoice takes days to build from incomplete notes and memory.

What TMI Builds

Six systems. One operating layer.

Built for dock operators - berth scheduling, labor coordination, equipment tracking, cargo handling records, and billing all connected.

01

Berth Schedule Management

Vessel arrival requests, berth availability, and occupancy tracked in real time. Conflicts visible before they become problems. Vessel agents see berth status and can confirm or adjust windows through a portal without calling the dock office.

02

Labor Gang Scheduling

Gang requirements built against projected vessel arrivals and cargo types. When vessel ETAs shift, the labor schedule updates and affected gangs are notified automatically. Standby charges tracked against weather and vessel delay causes for invoice support.

03

Equipment Assignment and Tracking

Forklifts, conveyor systems, and handling equipment assigned to vessel calls and tracked for availability. Maintenance status visible before assignment - no equipment scheduled for a critical cargo handling job that needed service last week.

04

Cargo Handling Record

Cargo types, quantities, handling method, and exceptions documented during the vessel call. Overtime events, damage incidents, and special handling captured in real time. The vessel call record is complete before the ship departs - not reconstructed afterward.

05

Billing From Vessel Call Records

Wharfage, stevedoring, storage, and special charges built from the vessel call record. Invoice reflects actual cargo handled, actual labor hours, and actual equipment time. Billing disputes resolved with documented evidence rather than competing claims about what happened.

06

Vessel Agent and Customer Portal

Shipping agents and cargo owners see berth schedule, cargo handling progress, and invoice status through a portal. Reduces inbound calls, creates a complete communication record, and gives agents the information they need to update their own customers without escalating to the dock office.

$12K
Average cost of a vessel waiting at anchor for an occupied berth that could have been cleared with advance notice
19%
Of dock handling charges go unbilled when captured from notes after vessel departure
3.1x
Faster invoice production when built from real-time vessel call records vs. after-the-fact reconstruction
44%
Reduction in agent inquiry calls when berth schedule and cargo status are accessible via portal
Get Started

Build the operating system your dock operations business needs.

Start with The Audit. One session to map your workflows, find the highest-leverage problems, and build your plan.