ABP to Test New Port Scheduling Programme

Associated British Ports (ABP) has announced that it will be trialling a new port scheduling programme. Developed by UK-based startup Ensemble Analytics, the ‘Athena’ platform will manage complex workforce structures and automate labour deployment. 

According to a statement released by ABP, ‘Athena is a workforce scheduling tool tailored for ports which is designed to manage complex workforce structures, integrate with operational systems, and automate labour deployment according to skills and labour agreements. Athena enables planning teams to make data-driven decisions, delivering safer, fair, and efficient workforce schedules whilst simplifying administrative tasks’.

The system is expected to drive further efficiencies at ABP’s ports - which at the time of writing consists of 21 ports across England, Scotland and Wales contributing some £15 billion to the UK economy. The Athena platform will be initially trialled at ABP’s Immingham, Hull, and Ipswich ports. 

With a workforce of over 2,500 ABP anticipates that Athena will also improve employee engagement. Cato Davis, CEO and co-founder of Ensemble Analytics highlighted this benefit when he commented: 

“We’re thrilled to be working with ABP on this trial of our Athena solution. Using machine learning, Athena will help ABP to create fair, safe and efficient schedules for its workforce. It’s great to see ABP showing leadership in the industry by using our tailored technology solutions to address the industry-wide challenges with utilisation, upskilling and communication. 

Establishing the digital infrastructure is an important first step which will enable ABP to take data-driven decisions across the business, improving customer service, employee engagement and operational efficiency”.

Davies’ comment was mirrored by Sam Jones, Head of Business Process Improvement at Associated British Ports, who said: 

“At ABP, we are delighted to be trialling this new scheduling platform which can bring a host of benefits to the business, further supporting safe, compliant, and efficient operations for our customers and our employees.

It’s also fantastic to be working with a UK startup on an innovative solution, and we look forward to assessing the results at the end of the trial to see if this truly is a good fit for us”.

The Athena trial has been supported by the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Freight Innovation Fund. 

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