Tilbury’s London Container Terminal has this week launched the UK’s first fully integrated Vehicle Booking System (VBS) mobile app uniquely designed for the terminal’s hauliers.

LCT is the only container terminal in the UK that has a fully integrated and fully functional VBS app that allows hauliers to make bookings and check the status of a container remotely using a mobile app on their mobile phone.

The app is available to download for free on App Stores for both iOS and Android devices and has been designed to be straightforward, allowing hauliers to create, view, move and cancel bookings quickly and efficiently whilst on the move using their smart phone. The app can also display the latest status of a container which allows hauliers to efficiently book the most appropriate time slots for their vehicles.

The technology platform behind the app is LCT’s bespoke VBS system which was launched in October 2015 replacing the legacy system at the terminal. The new system is a completely new development purposely designed for LCT’s customers’ needs. The system provides a noticeably different look and feel to that of the original system with a strong focus on ease of use, efficiency and improved status information.

Commenting on the development of the app, David Thomson, Group IT Project Manager at Forth Ports said: “The mobile app development is a first for Forth Ports and we are very pleased with the result and the positive feedback we have received so far. We wanted to capture the opportunity to improve our service for our customers and we took the time to design the new VBS system to improve the ease of use and provide enhanced capabilities. The mobile app is a further extension to the new system similarly targeted to further improving our service offering to our hauliers, by providing them with efficient and easy to use capabilities whilst on the move.”