THE ROLE OF UPGRADING CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATING SYSTEM (TOS) ON ENHANCING OPERATIONAL PROCESS OF ADEN CONTAINER TERMINAL
Abstract
Purpose: This research examines the role of upgrading the Terminal Operating System (TOS) at Aden Container Terminal, focusing on the transition from Zodiac version 5.2, in use since 2009, to the latest version 8 currently adopted in advanced DP World-operated ports, including Jebel Ali Terminal (C3). Zodiac is an integrated digital platform consisting of multiple subsystems and operational modules covering ship planning, yard management, gate operations, billing, and cargo traceability. The upgraded version introduces enhanced automation features, improved berth and yard planning capabilities, and optimized crane scheduling, all of which are expected to improve handling efficiency, operational transparency, and safety standards.
Research approach: The research adopts a descriptive-analytical approach to assess the potential impact of upgrading the Zodiac Terminal Operating System at Aden Container Terminal. The current operational environment, system capabilities, and expected performance enhancements are described based on available technical documentation and operational reports. A SWOT analytical framework is applied to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with the system upgrade, providing a structured analysis of its anticipated operational implications.
Research Originality: The research is considered the first empirical study that identifies challenges encountered during the implementation of the new upgrade of the Zodiac system at the Aden container terminal and its effect on the operational process in the terminal for the year 2025.
Research Findings: The findings indicate that upgrading the TOS will significantly reduce vessel and container turnaround times, lower operational costs, optimize resource utilization, and improve service reliability. Additionally, the upgrade supports environmental sustainability objectives, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
UNCTAD (2023) "Review of Maritime Transport", United Nations. New York. https://doi.org/10.18356/9789213584569
Ismail, A. "Benchmarking the Efficiency of the Egyptian Container Terminals." Unpublished PhD Thesis. Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport (2019). https://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.30134.68164
Elgazzar, Sara, and Ahmed Ismail. "Enhancing Egyptian container terminals performance through managing efficiency and competitiveness." Marine Economics and Management 4, no. 1 (2021): 59-75. https://doi.org/10.1108/MAEM-12-2020-0006
Hafez, Ahmed Ismail Ahmed, and Osama Elbayoumi. "Evaluating the technical efficiency of Egypt’s main container terminals." Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs (2024): 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/18366503.2024.2339050
Behar, Alberto, and Anthony J. Venables. "Transport costs and international trade." In A handbook of transport economics. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2011. https://doi.org/10.4337/9780857930873.00011
Gekara, Victor Oyaro, and Xuan-Vi Thanh Nguyen. "Challenges of implementing container terminal operating system: The case of the port of Mombasa from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) perspective." Journal of International Logistics and Trade 18, no. 1 (2020): 49-60. https://doi.org/10.24006/jilt.2020.18.1.049
Hervás-Peralta, Miguel, Sara Poveda-Reyes, Gemma Dolores Molero, Francisco Enrique Santarremigia, and Juan-Pascual Pastor-Ferrando. "Improving the performance of dry and maritime ports by increasing knowledge about the most relevant functionalities of the Terminal Operating System (TOS)." Sustainability 11, no. 6 (2019): 1648. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061648
Hasan Abdulla Alshabi, Aref, Ashraf Ali Abdo Qardash, and Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Hafez. "Analyzing the feasibility for the application of Public private partnership (PPPs) at the Port of Aden." 14, no. 2 (2023): 608-642. https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/jces.2023.304473
Ali Abdo Qardash, Ashraf, Mohammed Alawi Abdulla Emzarbah, and Ahmed Ismail Ahmed Hafez. "Using Porter Diamond model to assess the impact of Public Private Partnerships on the competitiveness of Aden container terminal." 13, no. 4 (2022): 207-240. https://dx.doi.org/10.21608/jces.2022.279792
Quoc, Viet Pham, and Thanh Le Quoc. "Operational efficiency for container terminal operators with undesirable outputs: slacks-based measures." Transportation Planning and Technology 47, no. 2 (2024): 284-301. https://doi.org/10.1080/03081060.2023.2264277
Inutsuka, Hideyo, Kinya Ichimura, Yoshihisa Sugimura, Muneo Yoshie, and Takeshi Shinoda. "Study on the Relationship between Port Governance and Terminal Operation System for Smart Port: Japan Case." Logistics 8, no. 2 (2024): 59. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics8020059
Gaete, Myriam, Marcela C. González-Araya, Rosa G. González-Ramírez, and César Astudillo. "A dwell time-based container positioning decision support system at a port terminal." In International Conference on Operations Research and Enterprise Systems, vol. 2, pp. 128-139. SciTePress, 2017. https://dx.doi.org/10.5220/0006193001280139
Chhetri, Prem, Gaya B. Jayatilleke, Victor O. Gekara, Alex Manzoni, and Brian Corbitt. "Container terminal operations simulator (CTOS)-Simulating the impact of extreme weather events on port operation." European Journal of Transport and Infrastructure Research 16, no. 1 (2016). https://doi.org/10.18757/ejtir.2016.16.1.3121
Zhang, Jin, Shuyin Deng, Yulseong Kim, and Xuebin Zheng. "A Comparative Analysis of Performance Efficiency for the Container Terminals in China and Korea." Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 12, no. 9 (2024): 1568. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse12091568
Weerasinghe, Buddhi A., H. Niles Perera, and Xiwen Bai. "Optimizing container terminal operations: a systematic review of operations research applications." Maritime Economics & Logistics 26, no. 2 (2024): 307-341. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-023-00254-0
Min, H., Ahn, S.B., Lee, H.S. and Park, H., 2017. An integrated terminal operating system for enhancing the efficiency of seaport terminal operators. Maritime Economics & Logistics, 19, pp.428-450. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-017-0069-5
Hervás-Peralta, M., Rozic, T., Poveda-Reyes, S., Santarremigia, F.E., Pastor-Ferrando, J.P. and Molero, G.D., 2020. Modelling the performance of port terminals using microsimulation. European transport/trasporti europei, (76), pp.1-11. https://hdl.handle.net/10251/165840.
Inutsuka, H., Ichimura, K., Sugimura, Y., Yoshie, M. and Shinoda, T., 2024. Study on the Relationship between Port Governance and Terminal Operation System for Smart Port: Japan Case. Logistics, 8(2), p.59. https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics8020059
Inutsuka, Hideyo, Kinya Ichimura, Yoshihisa Sugimura, Muneo Yoshie, and Takeshi Shinoda. "Study on the Relationship between Port Governance and Terminal Operation System for Smart Port: Japan Case." Logistics 8, no. 2 (2024): 59. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41278-023-00254-0
Sahraoui, Ahmed, Nguyen Khoi Tran, Youssef Tliche, Ameni Kacem, and Atour Taghipour. "Examining ICT Innovation for Sustainable Terminal Operations in Developing Countries: A Case Study of the Port of Radès in Tunisia." Sustainability 15, no. 11 (2023): 9123. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15119123
DPWORLD. DP World Website. Our Locations. [Online] DP World, 12 5, 2025. https://www.dpworld.com/en/about-us/our-locations
APDC. Regional Competitors Report. Aden: Aden Container Terminal, 2024.
ACT-IT. TOS PROJEECT UPGRADE EVALUATION. ADEN: CONNFIDENTIAL REPORT OF ACT IT, 2024.
SOLUTIONs, DPWORLD, DP WORLD DIGITAL SOLUTIONS. DP WORLD DIGITAL SOLUTIONS ZODIAC. [Online] DP WORLD, 2025. https://www.dpworld.com/en/digital-solutions/cargoes/terminal-operating-system.
Feasibility, Study. ACT - Feasibility study for upgrading the operating system. Aden: Confidential reports, 2023.
Best Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) of April 2024. Available online: https://webinarcare.com/best-terminal-operating-systems/ (accessed on 4 April 2024).
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21622/MARLOG.2026.15.1.108
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ashraf A. Qardash, Muhammed A. Amzarbah, Aref H. Alshabi, Ahmed E. Hafez
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
The International Maritime Transport and Logistics Journal (MARLOG)
E-ISSN: 2974-3141
P-ISSN: 2974-3133
Published by:
Academy Publishing Center (APC)
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)
Alexandria, Egypt