Innovative service from Dubai Trade puts sailing schedules of major shipping lines at the fingertips of the exporting community

Dubai Trade, the premier cross-border trade facilitator under Dubai World, has developed an innovative e-service which provides the exporting community with real-time information on commercial vessel sailings from Jebel Ali port in Dubai to major seaports around the world. “The Vessel Schedules e-Service”, which was launched today on Dubai Trade Portal (www.dubaitrade.ae), offers valuable vessel sailing information from a single reference point.

The key feature of this service is that it makes searching for the right vessel as easy as searching for an airline schedule. Users need only to enter the destination port and the expected departure date to search for sailings. This will help them to better plan their operations and choose the most convenient dates, routes and vessels for their shipments and make the relevant bookings well in advance. These schedules are updated on daily basis by shipping lines or their local agents. The service is also integrated with DP World system to display rotation number and operation type for vessels with confirmed berth bookings in Jebel Ali.

“The Vessel Schedules” system was developed by Dubai Trade team based on needs and suggestions from exporters, freight forwarders and global shipping lines. The e-service currently provides sailing schedules of major shipping lines from Jebel Ali to more than 700 destination ports.

Commenting on the new service, HE Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Chairman, Dubai Trade, said: “The Vessel Schedules service is a clear example of how Dubai Trade’s pursuit of innovation can lead to practical solutions that enhance the operational efficiency of the trading community in the UAE, supporting Dubai’s leading position in international trade, in particular, and UAE’s economy, in general. At Dubai Trade, innovation is fundamentally part of the way we work. We see it as a tool we use every day for problem solving and adding value to our customers.” 

Eng. Mahmood Al Bastaki, CEO, Dubai Trade, added: “Up to now, traders and forwarders in the UAE had to individually seek schedules of departures from each shipping line or its local agent. Now, with this service all schedules, along with other required information, such as vessel details, transit days and transhipment information, are combined in one source and made available in real time for our portal users. At a glance, they can compare the various schedules of different shipping lines and choose the fastest or most convenient option for them or their clients, thus saving time, cost and increasing their operational efficiency.”