Descartes' Solution Transforms Tank Terminal

Descartes Systems Group transformed its core business from the storage of grains to the storage of oils with the help of Descartes' advanced European customs connectivity and compliance capabilities.

"In the European oil storage business, the communication and exchange of documents with customs authorities is mission critical, much more so than with grain storage. With excise amounts in the millions of euros and operating permits at stake, the clearance and duty declaration process needs to be completely accurate," said Charles Smissaert, Managing Director at Botlek Tank Terminal. "Descartes' solutions and expertise were important elements in finalizing the re-engineering of our processes and integrating our systems to support the new requirements of our business and our strategic growth plan."

Descartes' Customs Compliance solution provides BTT with seamless connectivity to European customs authorities and is integrated with BTT's warehouse management system (WMS). Descartes` solution retrieves data from the WMS and aggregates customs duty values and other data. Customs clearance and duty declarations are then processed electronically and automatically. Descartes' solution also keeps track of stock and transactions related to both bonded and non-bonded goods and provides detailed monthly transactional reports to customs authorities.

"Working with BTT during the transition of its core business posed unique and exciting challenges. Our efforts in developing optimized workflow and compliance capabilities for the tank terminal industry have resulted in a strong solution portfolio that helps organizations, like BTT, ensure compliance, maintain control, improve efficiency and enhance profitability," said Fred van der Heide, Vice President of Product Strategy at Descartes. "We are proud to have contributed to BTT's success and that our joint work helps set a new standard for the tank terminal industry."