New York container port deploys TOS system to become ‘small but mighty’

Red Hook Container Terminal (RHCT), a port in New York Harbour, wanted a terminal operating system (TOS) that specifically considered it is a small port. It also wanted the system to recognise it deals in multiple sectors, spanning containers, breakbulk and container cross-harbour barges.  

RHCT chief operating officer Del Bobish recalls, “I started at the terminal in 2018, and we had a TOS. It wasn’t designed for a smaller terminal and after doing research I came across the Octopi by Navis TOS platform. We wanted to give it a try as it was designed for smaller terminals like RHCT and had demonstrations.”

Mr Bobish spent 18 years at Port Newark Container Terminal as senior terminal manager before joining Red Hook Terminals in 2018, where he has held several executive roles including executive vice president, general manager, and now chief operating officer.

Due to the different cargo the terminal is involved in, he highlights the importance of designing “out-of the-box features that are unique to Red Hook”.  

Octopi by Navis is a cloud-based technology that has provided RHCT with real-time visibility, streamlining manual processes and providing the ability to monitor vessel operations, even remotely.  

Mr Bobish moves on to the implementation aspect. “I was nervous about that because we’re short-staffed. It was all hands on deck. The Octopi team stuck with us, set up processes and got our people trained up. The system is intuitive, and it only took a couple of months. The relationship with their team has been phenomenal.  

“We reach out and get an answer quickly. We have weekly meetings. They work well with us when we have problems or new areas we need a solution for.”  

Key benefits include vessel productivity is consistently in the high 20s to low 30s, which is among the top in port rankings; real-time gate movement and inventory reports; improved planning and throughput accuracy. Tracking crane performance, yard hustling, and container dwell time enables RHCT to align daily operations with broader KPIs tied to efficiency and service delivery.

RHCT chief technical officer Noe Rosales highlights how the team particularly likes that it is web based so everyone can have real-time access on phones and tablets.  

He adds, “The system is transparent and available to our customers. We and Octopi together have helped improve the system – we can request changes which they implement, and new features will be added.  

“I am the interface between the engineering and support staff, and I don’t feel alone in working with them. It’s a good partnership.”