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Dover switches CSP system

[ March 7, 2012   //   ]

The port of Dover has replaced its Clearway Community System Provider (CSP) with the Pentant CusLink Inventory System for clearance of all third country freight.

Pentant was formed by former CNS executives Phil Waldron, Derek Dubber and freight industry IT sepecialist Martin Goodwin. It describes its flagship Culink product as “a fresh approach to the traditional systems that link users to the central UK Customs’ system (CHIEF)” and as “a response to the industry requirement for choice and greater control of this key aspect of their business processes”, backed by “a resilient infrastructure and 24 hour support.” CusLink’s focus, it says, is on high availability, reliability and security. Significant cost savings are achieved by a competitive tariff and efficiency gains.

Pentant thus becomes one of four CSP systems in the UK and CusLink now processes over 2.5 million customs entries a year at Dover, Europe’s busiest ferry port. Of the 2m freight vehicles passing through the port each year, over 100,000 are customs cleared throughthe port’s freight services agency. Some 30 freight agents are linked to the CSP system, enabling them to process more than 45,000 import vehicles and 60,000 export vehicles a yea, which in turn create about 200,000 import and export clearances.

In the first major change to a major port’s CSP system for some time, the migration from Clearway process started on 4 January, with over 10,000 entries processed in the first month.

Dover’s business manager for freight and cargo, Jason Ransley, said: “Having decided to replace the Dover Clearway system it was imperative that the change process did not impact on the efficient day to day operation of the port and freight agent community.”

As the users were familiar with the existing system we needed to replicate the old system’s functions as closely as possible. He added: “In addition, an important part of our

requirements is the ability to respond to future administrative and legislative changes, particularly for HMRC. Pentant

delivered the system on time and has the ability to meet these future requirements”.

Pentant managing director, Phil Waldron said: “This five year contract is a major step forward for Pentant and is recognition of the position we have now established as one of four major CSPs in the UK. The Dover system is unique with comprehensive inventory functionality. We have been able to deliver this within a tight timeframe and on-schedule.”

 

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