For years, Just in Time in shipping has mainly been discussed in terms of vessel arrival timing. The idea is clear: if a vessel arrives neither too early nor too late, fuel can be saved, anchorage congestion can be reduced, and waiting time can be limited.
That approach still matters. But for liquid bulk terminals, it is no longer enough.
A vessel can arrive exactly on schedule and still face delays. Documentation may not be complete. Inspections may not be aligned. Cargo may not be ready. Terminal resources may still be occupied. In that situation, a well-timed arrival does not remove inefficiency. It simply moves the delay from anchorage to alongside the berth.
That is why the industry needs to shift the conversation from JIT arrival to JIT operations.
JIT in liquid bulk should be about readiness
In liquid bulk operations, real efficiency depends on more than the vessel’s ETA. It depends on whether the full port call is operationally ready.
That means berth availability, cargo readiness, inspections, resource planning, and compliance processes need to be aligned before the vessel arrives. Only then can arrival timing create real value.
The goal is not just to reduce time at anchor. The bigger goal is to reduce total terminal stay, improve predictability, and create a smoother process from arrival through departure. (....)