TCMS stands for Truck Capacity Management System. The system is intended to improve the flow of truck traffic at ECT terminals. It uses pre-assigned timeslots.
The system is intended to contribute to a smoother flow of trucks at ECT’s terminals. The significant peak congestion that the ECT terminals have been experiencing for some time cannot be improved without new measures that ensure a better distribution of truck traffic. Ultimately, the implementation of a TCMS is expected to result in more transparency, a reduction in (extreme) queues, and improved traffic safety on public roads near the terminal entrances. It is anticipated, however, that road volumes will remain high for the foreseeable future, even after TCMS has been introduced.
The time slots have been designed with a broad time window of four hours to maintain flexibility for road hauliers. Within each time slot, a maximum handling capacity will be made available.
The process via Portbase MCA Road remains unchanged for carriers.
The carrier submits a pre-notification via Portbase MCA Road. The pre-notification includes a preferred estimated time of arrival (ETA). The ECT system assigns this ETA to the first available timeslot. MyTerminal shows a capacity barometer for each block, allowing carriers to see in advance which timeslots still have capacity.
The system checks whether sufficient capacity is available at the relevant terminal or transfer zone. If the preferred timeslot is full, the next available slot is assigned automatically.
The system checks whether sufficient capacity is available at the relevant terminal or transfer zone. If the preferred timeslot is full, the next available slot is assigned automatically.
Yes. MyTerminal provides a capacity barometer on the Timeslots page that shows the available capacity for each transfer zone.
Every day at 09:00, new timeslots are automatically released two working days in advance. Because the weekend time slot starts on Friday, weekend capacity is released on Wednesday at 09:00, together with the other timeslots for Friday.
No. A timeslot only means that capacity has been reserved. All standard checks still apply before a truck visit can take place. Before arriving at the terminal, we recommend running the free TAR check available on MyTerminal or in the ECT app.
Yes. If the revised ETA remains within the same timeslot, the truck visit retains its existing timeslot. If the new ETA falls within a different timeslot, a new slot is calculated based on the available capacity. A truck visit can be changed or cancelled free of charge until the assigned timeslot starts.
If the revised ETA remains within the same timeslot, the truck visit retains its existing slot. If the new ETA falls within a different timeslot, a new timeslot is calculated based on the available capacity. A truck visit can be changed or cancelled free of charge until the assigned slot begins.
Simply change the ETA for the truck visit. The system then automatically determines the correct timeslot. A truck visit can be changed or cancelled free of charge until the assigned timeslot begins.
Simply change the ETA, for example by one minute. Simply saving the pre-notification without changing the ETA will not trigger a recalculation.
After cancellation, the reserved timeslot is released. When a new pre-notification is submitted, a new timeslot is assigned based on the capacity available at that time. A truck visit (pre-notification) can be changed or cancelled free of charge until the assigned slot begins.
A truck visit can be changed or cancelled free of charge until the assigned timeslot begins. ECT will not unilaterally delete incomplete truck visits, so a truck visit can still be completed administratively after the assigned timeslot has started.
If a truck visit does not take place, is not changed in time or is cancelled during an ongoing timeslot, a no-show fee will be charged. This does not apply to the evening and night timeslot (19:00 - 02:59) or the weekend timeslot. This fee will also not be charged during the introductory period.
A 30-minute correction period applies after a pre-notification is created or changed. During this period, you can adjust the pre-notification without incurring a no-show fee or other charges, even if the assigned timeslot has already started.
You can remove a container with this type of block from the truck visit without consequence. The assigned timeslot will not be recalculated for the remaining container(s). If you cancel or change the truck visit after the timeslot has opened, you will not be charged a no-show fee.
For a combination visit, the time slot is taken from the truck visit to which another truck visit is linked. For example, the truck visit for container A has the 11:00 - 14:59 timeslot, and the truck visit for container B has the 07:00 - 10:59 time slot.
When Visit A is linked to Visit B, the combination visit receives the 07:00 - 10:59 time slot.
When Visit B is linked to Visit A, the combination visit receives the 11:00 - 14:59 timeslot.
If you remove the container for which the timeslot was originally determined, a new timeslot is calculated for the other container based on the ETA for that truck visit. This does not apply if the removed container has an ASC malfunction.
If the container that originally determined the timeslot is removed, the system automatically calculates a new timeslot based on the ETA for the remaining truck visit.
Yes. A pre-notification can still be submitted and a timeslot assigned when a container is blocked.
The timeslot remains valid. However, the truck visit must ultimately meet all conditions before it can take place.
You can check this in advance using the TAR check available in the ECT app and on MyTerminal.
A truck may not arrive outside its assigned timeslot. However, the barrier at Security-In will open to prevent queues and unsafe situations on the public road. This also applies if a driver enters the site with an unknown TAR code. The driver then has 30 minutes to correct the truck visit, for example if an incorrect TAR was entered. A surcharge will be applied for 'parking' at the terminal. The forecourts at both terminals are intended for drivers who have an appointment. This surcharge will not be charged during the introductory period. It will appear on ECT's monthly invoice with the truck visit details, but no amount will be charged.
Update the ETA as soon as possible. The system will then determine whether the current timeslot can be retained or a new timeslot is required.
A truck visit is considered a no-show if:
The no-show policy does not apply to: