ICO optimizes port vehicle logistics with INFORM Yard & Workshop Management
International Car Operators (ICO) is one of Europe’s leading roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) terminal operators, handling millions of vehicles every year across major European ports. To manage growing volumes and increasing operational complexity, ICO relies on INFORM Yard and Workshop Management to optimize terminal operations and vehicle processing across locations.
Challenge
With terminals in Antwerp and Zeebrugge, ICO processes up to 7,000 vehicles per day across extensive terminal areas. Each vehicle requires precise handling, minimal movement distances, and often additional services such as inspections, customization, or preparation for onward transport.
Before the transformation, ICO faced several challenges:
- Different IT systems at each terminal
- Heavy reliance on manual planning and calculations
- Limited transparency across yard and workshop operations
- Difficulties synchronizing inbound, processing, and outbound activities
ICO’s objective was clear: increase efficiency, reliability, and cost transparency while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.
Solution
ICO implemented INFORM Yard Management and Workshop Management as a unified solution to digitally control and optimize terminal operations across locations.
The solution was introduced step by step across ICO’s terminals, creating a standardized terminal operating model while still allowing local operational differences where required.
The solution enables:
- Intelligent planning of berths, parking positions, and vehicle movements
- Automated coordination of yard and workshop activities
- VIN-based tracking of vehicles and services in real time
- Optimized routing to minimize driving distances within the terminal
- Flexible modeling of business processes without complex IT intervention
Results
The introduction of INFORM Yard & Workshop Management delivered measurable improvements across ICO’s terminal operations:
- Overall terminal efficiency increased from 94% to 99%
- Truck dwell time reduced by 50%
- Vehicle driving distances reduced by approx. 100,000 km per year
- Yard and berth capacity utilization increased by 8–12%
- Reduced operational cost per vehicle
- Full real-time transparency for ICO and its customers
By reducing manual planning effort and synchronizing all terminal processes, ICO can now process higher volumes with the same workforce while also lowering emissions and improving service reliability.
Thanks to INFORM's software solution, our efficiency in operational processes and costs are streamlined beyond our expectations.
Future Outlook
With INFORM Yard and Workshop Management, ICO has established a future-proof platform for continued growth. The flexibility of the solution allows workflows and services to be adapted quickly as volumes, customer requirements, and market conditions evolve.
ICO continues to build on this digital foundation to further improve efficiency, sustainability, and transparency across its vehicle logistics operations.
Conclusion: Revolution in vehicle logistics
ICO's partnership with INFORM has revolutionized terminal operations, achieving high efficiency, reduced costs and improved service quality. Through the use of advanced digital solutions, ICO has established itself as a leading provider in vehicle logistics, able to meet the growing demands of the global automotive industry.
Lill Haase
Product Marketing Manager
Lill Haase has been part of INFORM since 2023. She has been focusing on Vehicle Logistics ever since – turning complex topics into clear, accessible messages. In her work, she puts strong emphasis on customer relevance, clarity, and trust.
