APICS was introduced by Antwerp Port Authority in 1989 as a recording and monitoring system for shipping traffic. It soon became an essential tool and over the years it was regularly modified and extended.

In close consultation with the Port Authority's subsidiary Amaris and the various users of the software, preliminary studies began in 2007 with the aim of developing an up-to-date application that could be used by the many players in the port to further optimise their planning and decision processes.

A carefully-controlled development plan was drawn up for APICS2, with four releases at intervals of one year each time. Work started in 2008.

The third release was finalised according to plan in 2011, with modules for route planning, lock scheduling, planning of warping movements within the port, recording barge traffic and planning and carrying out tugging, pilotage and mooring/unmooring operations. Extensive test procedures are currently under way.

In parallel, the APICS2 “delivery path” began in 2011. This includes drawing up a release and communication plan, drawing up training material, coordinating the acceptance tests, organising training courses for internal and external users, and so on.
APICS2 will become operational in spring 2012, with the changes becoming visible to the more than 800 users.

Further development of the fourth and last release is planned for 2012. In consultation with the industry associations and Port Authority stakeholders, we are trying to simplify and optimise the administrative processes, while at the same time ensuring the accuracy of the information and the safety of people and the environment.