Hans Bobeldijk, UAB-Online Chief Executive Officer

UAB-Online is a Software-as-a-Service platform that optimises marine operations in liquid bulk shipping. The platform offers an online realtime available file per vessel or barge with all the information and documents needed to prepare and handle the maritime loading and unloading operation at an inland or sea ship terminal. Within this file the platform enables document creation, sharing and signing (between ship, terminal and surveyor). Next to the mandatory ISGOTT6 pre-arrival process, the platform also features the possibility to exchange data and information that further optimizes the loading and unloading operation.
 
Recently, Xinde Marine News interviewed Mr. Hans Bobeldijk, the Chief Executive Officer of UAB-Online, in order that readers could better understand UAB-Online's current business scope, platform applications, industry standards and future development plans in the Asian market.
 
Q1. To begin with, could you please make a brief introduction to your company? (For example, current business scope, vision, personnel, etc.) What is the meaning of “UAB”?
 
We are UAB-Online and assist all stakeholders in liquid bulk shipping to improve their marine operations and to shorten the time their ships stay in port.
 
Our cloud-based application Software-as-a-Service (SaaS platform) is used by more than 60 terminals, both inland and sea-going. We are situated in The Netherlands and currently operate in Northern Europe and Asia. We have 2,800 active vessels and all surveyors in the active ports connected to our platform. UAB-Online is seen as the uniform process in Northern Europe and the specialists in optimising operations in liquid bulk. The application contains several smart functionalities for Masters, charterers, terminals, agents and surveyors,  all designed to optimise the complete process of a vessel’s pre-arrival administration and handling of inland and sea-going vessels.
 
In 2010, UAB-Online was established though  an initiative from the inland shipping sector. Together with  other players in the market, we initiated  a digital and standardised pre-arrival process. There was a need for a simplified, clean and concise process that was not present in the traditional way of announcing barges. UAB-Online derives its name from: ‘Uniform Announcement Bulk’ made digital. During the initial stages of UAB-Online, we were  only  focused on inland shipping. This evolved over time towards inland and sea shipping and more overseas waterways, with terminals receiving more vessels and customers asking if we could serve their companies in other parts of the world as well.
 
Our mission is to unite all stakeholders in liquid bulk shipping and make mutual processes safer, more efficient and more sustainable.
 
Q2. What are the main application scenarios of your platform, what can users (Terminals, Agent, Ship, Shipping company, Surveyors ) do on this platform？
 
It starts with introducing a standardised and digital pre-arrival process between vessel, agent and terminal. This standardised process enables preparation of the operations before arrival and ensures compliance to the International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT 6) regulations. Exchanging information and documents is part of this process.
This pre-arrival process, including the exchange of information and documents, is the real game changer and saves up to 90 minutes per vessel. Previously, there were lots of delays at the preparation stage associated with the reading and exchange of documents on board at the jetty. The preparation process started after the vessel had moored, so slowing down the process.
The gains for the terminal are many: less phone and email traffic, all info digitally available in one dossier; while administrative obligations are dealt with prior to the vessels mooring; processes completed earlier with better insights
It is also as collaborative platform connecting all liquid bulk shipping stakeholders. All relevant stakeholders have access to a visiting vessel’s digital dossier.
Each relevant stakeholder can create, fill in, digitally sign and exchange necessary information for the pre-arrival process.
The platform creates all kinds of standard and terminal specific (safety) documents. Because of the extensive validation, information presets and opportunities to include formulas into the documents, we improve the quality of the audits by more than 70%.
Gains for the vessel are one central point for announcing at a terminal, with a standardised and clear process, generating time savings at the jetty; no double entries needed, 24/7 access, optimised for poor internet connections, share easy documents with the head office, and very easy to exchange big files.
For the agent,  it improved the uploading, sharing and signing of documents within the digital dossiers; gives insights in digital file; makes connections between the vessel and terminal possible. Gains for the Agent include a uniform process, less email and phone traffic, more efficient process, insights in online dossier, and the continuous forwarding of emails is something of the past.
For the surveyor: Uploading, sharing and signing of documents within the digital dossiers, insights in digital file. insights on important documents from loading port to preparing their operations.
And the shipping company has insight into all visit dossiers of the fleet (status, documents, etc) Gains include the use of just one login account for all ships, process insight into announcements and feedback.
 
Q3. Could you please introduce some of successful cases of UAB to us? How could UAB help terminals achieve sustainability and cut costs?
 
UAB-Online strives to make marine operations safer, more efficient and sustainable, and successes from customers have been shared with us;
 
Shortened total port stay by up to 90 minutes and reduced  demurrage costs
Reduced administrative and subsequent operational mistakes and errors by 76%,
Lower CO2 & NOx emissions  on the port stay time. So up to 90 minutes less emissions of the auxiliary engines. And if there is another waiting vessel, also 90 minutes of that vessel’s emissions at anchor (plus the emission savings on the jetty)
Even a small terminal saves more than 150 kg paper per year
Up to 50% less phone and email traffic
During the Covid pandemic you can do the job without physical meetings
 
By optimising marine operations via our platform, total port stays will be shortened and the overall process will be more efficient, faster and safer, with more than 400 active checks.
 
By employing our digitised solutions, terminals can reduce the amount of time vessels spend at the berth by undertaking many of the loading and unloading procedures prior to the vessel’s arrival. This will, in turn, significantly reduce the vessel’s greenhouse gas emissions at the terminals.
 
Q4. Cyber and data security are getting more and more attentions these days. How do you deal with these kind of issues？
 
You can imagine with the big oil majors as customers it is a high priority and remains in the forefront  of our minds. We are ISO 27001 certified. Various pen tests are carried out every year on behalf of ourselves and our customers. There is a very strict development process in place. We are well aware of our data security and are continuously looking at ways to improve our business.
 
Q5. “UAB-Online has been the standard for inland shipping of liquid bulk. ” What do you think standard for the industry mean？ How did you achieve this?
 
We are currently the industry standard for both inland and sea shipping in Northern Europe, with more than 60% of the terminals (with a 24/7 service) using our services. By standard we mean the main, reliable, tried and tested, and preferred use of SaaS platform in liquid bulk shipping. Our vision is to achieve this standard worldwide. We are a sector initiative founded 12 years ago, by freighters, terminals and UAB-Online, and co-created our product with our users. Over time, professionalised, innovated and further developed. We are always consulting and co-creating with various stakeholders/users to get the most out of our platform for all users. We are reliable and well known in the region and are a safe choice for our users.
 
 
Q6. I have learnt that your business is now expanding to North America and Asian area. What do you think are the biggest differences among these three markets? And what are the greatest challenges are you faced with when expanding your business to these areas?
 
The biggest benefit is the standard regulation and the common language in the sector.
 
Biggest differences - besides the global ISGOTT6 regulations there are local regulations and requirements. Thanks to our flexible possibilities to customise and create all kind of documents, we can face this easily. Also the flow for inland shipping in North America is different than the flow in North West Europe.
 
On top of that, we also need to keep in mind the differences in culture and different ways of working, but we have a product which can be adjusted to all our different  stakeholders needs, so we are confident we have a solution for all markets, as long as we listen carefully to new players and their needs, and make adjustments where needed. We are here to improve the lives of all stakeholders in liquid bulk shipping no matter where in the world  they are.
 
Greatest challenge: In Northern Europe most terminals are familiar with UAB-Online. But we are not known yet by the big players  in the North American and Asian markets and we will have to showcase/pitch our product. Something we didn’t have to do that much before in Northern Europe because word of mouth spreads very  quickly here. We are going to be perceived as a new player to these markets but not new to the business.
 
Q7. Talking about Asian market, could you please introduce your development plan of it?
 
We need to go deeper into these markets and are open to all who find our product valuable.
 
Q8. Have you ever reached out to users from China? Do you have a plan for Chinese market?
 
We have not  reached out to China, yet. We are focusing on Asian markets now and we hope and expect that we can offer interesting solutions to all, including China.
 
If China, or any other country in the world, contacts us, of course we will welcome  them with open arms and will create the best solution for their maritime operation challenges!
 
Q9. Will you open a branch in Asia in the future? What qualities do you value most in your employees?
 
In the near future we do not have plans to open sales offices in different parts of the world, nevertheless we might open local support offices. Our headquarters is situated in the Netherlands from where we can easily manage all of our operations worldwide. Digitalisation has mean that communication and connection in business is so much easier than before. Our digitialised product can tap into the right technology making it possible to offer support in every corner of the world, in every desired language. When new offices are required, we are able and willing to establish a physical presence in different parts of the world as well.
 
Valued qualities in employees - passionate employees who are eager to get things done, continuous improvement and striving to get the best out of themselves and develop personally and professionally. We encourage our employees to grow and offer them personal development plans. Where there is a wish to develop in a certain direction, we work to make it happen. On the other hand, we are a no-nonsense company, no evident hierarchy and we are all equal. We have regular outings, joint lunches and the occasional table tennis competition in the office. We believe it is just as important that an employee feels welcome, happy and safe in our company, as how well he/she can succeed in their professional growth.
 
Q10. At present, UAB mainly focuses on liquid bulk, have you ever considered to expand your business to other sectors, like dry bulk or container? Or will you do this in the future?
 
We of course look further than our current business. We believe sticking to your strengths is important. We know liquid bulk marine operations and would like to expand in other liquid bulk markets with our knowledge before expanding into different vessel sectors. But plans are on the table.

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.