In our recent discussion with TOS provider GullsEye, we gained valuable insights into how the company has played a crucial role in transforming operations at Autoport—Turkey’s first dedicated automotive terminal.
Located in Kocaeli, in Turkey’s Marmara Region, Autoport is strategically positioned between Asia and Europe. With a vast terminal area of 309,000 square metres, Autoport is capable of handling up to 650,000 vehicles annually. Its two berths, extending 656 metres, ensure that multiple vessels can be operated simultaneously, facilitating smooth logistics and efficient port management.
As Autoport continues to serve Turkey’s automotive sector, maintaining high operational standards has always been a priority. To support this, GullsEye’s Terminal Operating System (TOS) was introduced in early 2022, bringing significant improvements to the terminal’s operations.
The TOS gives customers and partners real-time access to critical port data, 24/7. This digital shift has enhanced transparency and operational efficiency, aligning with the growing demand for seamless, paperless processes in line with environmental sustainability.
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According to GullsEye’s Sales Director Sicco Bosscher: “Through GullsEye’s TOS, customers and partners can access real-time information about port processes 24/7 via ‘Electronic Data Transfer’“, which has in turn increased the terminal’s operational efficiency significantly.
The TOS is built with the principles of Industry 4.0 in mind, with a strong focus on automation and connectivity. The system’s cloud-based infrastructure and use of GSM technologies ensure reliability and security.
GullsEye’s commitment to business continuity and disaster recovery further strengthens Autoport’s operational resilience, while the move towards a fully digital operation reflects the industry’s broader trends towards greater efficiency and minimal environmental impact.
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The decision to implement GullsEye’s Gen2 TOS came after Autoport’s previous system was no longer sufficient to meet the terminal’s growing operational and technological needs. The existing system was unable to support the increasingly complex operations of a modern automotive terminal. After careful evaluation, Autoport chose GullsEye’s TOS, which is known for its adaptability and scalability.
Bosscher explained: “The main reasons for implementing a new TOS were that the existing system could no longer meet the technological and operational needs.
“The older TOS was inadequate in addressing today’s dynamic business requirements both in terms of technology and support. Therefore, the need for a new TOS arose.”
The transition to GullsEye’s TOS began in early 2022, and it has since improved the accuracy of vehicle tracking and management. The new system has brought significant efficiency improvements, ensuring that data integrity is maintained across port processes. GullsEye’s flexibility was particularly beneficial in adapting to the dynamic demands of the Ro-Ro terminal, where operational processes can change rapidly when new customers are added.
One of the key advantages of the new TOS is its ability to collect and process operational data in real time. This capability has allowed Autoport to track and analyse every service provided at the terminal. Services that were once manually tracked or handled via email are now fully integrated into the system, leading to more accurate reporting and greater transparency.
“The new TOS has enabled the recording and tracking of every service offered to customers at Autoport on the system,” Bosscher remarked.
“This allows services provided during operations to be automatically created and tracked by handheld or desktop application users.”
The system also enables Autoport to identify new revenue opportunities. By capturing more granular data on services, the terminal can make better-informed decisions, optimise resource allocation, and recover missed revenue streams.
For Autoport’s customers, GullsEye’s TOS has transformed the way they interact with the terminal. The system generates customer-specific reports that provide real-time updates on cargo movements and port activities.
Looking at the future, Autoport aims to improve customer experience by launching an online portal that allows users to track their cargo seamlessly. This enhancement will boost communication, making it easier for vehicle carriers to manage their operations and for Autoport to respond promptly to customer needs.
“With the development of new modules to be implemented in the future, we aim to create a more active platform for digital interaction between customers and Autoport,” Bosscher told us.
“This will allow for more efficient management of operational efficiency and communication for both Autoport and its customers.”
