Increased visibility enables smarter management of supply chains 

In general, you could say a recommended strategy for mitigating demurrage involves a holistic approach that emphasizes the prevention of delays and bottlenecks in cargo handling and shipping schedules, optimization of logistics and supply chain operations to improve efficiency and reduce time spent in port, and negotiation of more favorable terms in shipping contracts to allow for greater flexibility and lower penalties in the event of unavoidable delays.  

Image: Get an immediate overview of demurrage cost estimates based on current plans and inventory levels. This feature facilitates effortless adjustments and instantly highlights the effect of any changes on demurrage costs.  

At the core of implementing this strategy effectively is the ability for planners to gain real-time visibility into shipments and inventory. This is the driving force behind our development of a demurrage dashboard for CargoValue users. With immediate visibility of how adjustments to the original plan can affect demurrage rates, users get updated demurrage estimates for their full shipment plan, enabling them to make informed decisions on how to adjust their shipments in a timely manner, effectively reducing their demurrage costs. 

A dashboard with a user centered design 

The dashboard, designed with simplicity, clarity, and relevance in mind, aims to cater to the specific needs of different user roles within an organization. From management to planners and analysts, the dashboard offers tailored visualizations, interactive features, and customizable reports to ensure that each user can easily navigate and get a view that is relevant to their roles and responsibilities within their organizations.  

Image: The planning page is tailored for planners, providing them with a detailed overview of the estimated number of demurrage days, associated costs, and a comprehensive view of both short-term and long-term financial implications. 

“The most common challenge related to demurrage management we see with customers is the absence of visibility and intuitive analysis tools. A well-designed dashboard can bridge this gap, transforming demurrage from a cost to a manageable, and even optimizable, aspect of shipping logistics. Ensuring that our dashboard is intuitive and user-friendly was therefore our top priority," says Axel Heim Tveiten, the project lead.  

Interactive visuals, cross-filtering and options to highlight create a seamless user experience 

The dashboard gives the users the opportunity to get a full overview of their figures. A dashboard also offers its users the functionality to do exploratory analysis. An analyst can then use this data to find explanations for the results. The dashboard also introduces several key features aimed at enhancing the decision-making process. With interactive visuals, cross-filtering, and highlighting options, users can delve deeper into the data, uncovering potential demurrage risks and identifying opportunities for cost reduction. The inclusion of a self-service solution for uploading actuals and a dedicated page for data quality control adds further value to the dashboard.  

"By providing a more stable technical solution and intuitive design, we aim to make demurrage management more efficient for our customers," Axel explains. 

Feedback from users has been instrumental in shaping the dashboard's development, with several features and improvements directly inspired by user suggestions. "Our goal is to continuously enhance the dashboard based on customer needs and feedback, ensuring it remains a valuable tool in their logistics management arsenal," Axel adds. 

With plans for future enhancements and an eye on evolving customer needs, the demurrage dashboard is set to become a key tool for supply chain planners and logistics professionals seeking to optimize their supply chain operations and minimize demurrage costs.