SPHERE - Small/Medium Sized Ports with Harmonised, Effective Re-engineered Processes
Overview
Background & policy context:
Maritime routes can form an effective, rapid and environmentally friendly link within the overall Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). Small- and medium-sized ports (SMPs) can play a substantial role as nodes within the TEN-T, operating as both transhipment and distribution centres. To fill such a role, SMPs must be able to offer excellent connectivity and interoperability with the rest of the multimodal network. Moreover, SMPs must fulfil certain operational requirements within the logistics chain in order to attract, satisfy and retain their customers. It is in this area that the SPHERE project aimed to find practical solutions to assist the re-organisation of port processes for a more efficient operation and future development of SMPs.
Objectives:
The main objective of the SPHERE project was to apply the principles of 'Business Process Re-engineering' to small- and medium-sized ports, providing a practical tool for use by port administrations to redesign the port processes from scratch. The aim was to produce generic recommendations as well the methodology (or tool) which, when applied to specific ports, would produce processes that:
- are simpler, more effective, transparent and flexible;
- can fully exploit modern information/communication technology;
- reflect the general shift towards customer and demand driven operations.
Share this page