Teething problems with a new cargo tracking system at Hamilton Docks has led to delivery delays.

The Master Terminal product went live at the beginning of the week after several months of testing, but initial challenges getting used to the system meant only over half the normal number of containers left the dock on Monday.

A total of 67 “truck moves” took place during the day compared with the usual 110, but by Tuesday Stevedoring Services had increased efficiency to 97 truck moves in and out of the dock. Warren Jones, chief executive of Polaris Holding Company Ltd, which runs Stevedoring Services, admitted there had been some complaints about cargo not getting off the dock as quickly as usual, and said Monday was a “tough day”.

But he told The Royal Gazette that stevedores were getting used to the new system quickly and doing everything they could to get cargo off the dock quickly.

“I can’t think of any new software system that once it goes lives does not have any glitches,” he said. “We are dealing with people and technology.

“It is understandable that people are impatient; in the last two years there have been no complaints about our service so customers are used to getting their goods quickly.

“The new technology allows us to track every piece of cargo electronically from the moment it arrives in the port to the moment it leaves the dock.

“Once we have it fully functioning we will be able to run reports on efficiency and productivity to improve our service. It will remove the need for staff to walk down the dock and look for certain items.”

Mr Jones acknowledged that it would take time to get up to speed with the new system.

But he said the state-of-the-art technology would ultimately improve efficiency and productivity on the docks to everyone’s benefit.

“About one year ago we had an RFP for a new cargo tracking system; the old system we had was very limited and required a lot of manual processes,” he added.

“As a result of the RFP we had a shortlist of five international companies that bid, and we chose Jade International’s Master Terminal product.

“We have had it in test mode for the last four or five months, staff have been working with it and sent abroad for training.”