The verdict in three sentences
On a dry bulk terminal, every lost or miscopied tally sheet becomes unbilled tonnage or a demurrage claim the shipowner disputes. In Singapore in 2026, custom stevedoring operations software costs about 120,000 to 200,000 SGD and takes roughly 6 months. On 3 million tonnes a year, recovering just 0.5 % of unbilled tonnage covers a large part of the investment in year one.
The tally sheet problem
A Singapore bulk operator handles cement, aggregates, grain and fertilizer across shifts, with several gangs per vessel, ship's cranes or mobile harbour cranes, grabs, hoppers and trucks. Tally clerks write tonnage per hatch and gang, stoppages (rain, breakdown, waiting for trucks) and times. Sheets reach the office 1 to 2 days later, are re-keyed, then used to bill the shipowner, the receiver and to pay productivity bonuses.
The software replaces paper with rugged tablets working offline: entry by hatch, gang and hour, sync when connectivity returns, and live tonnes-per-hour figures. It also feeds the statement of facts used for laytime and demurrage calculations.
| Indicator | Paper tally sheets | Stevedoring software |
|---|---|---|
| Tally reporting lag | 1 to 2 days | Real time or end of shift |
| Billed tonnage variance | 0.5 to 1.2 % | Under 0.2 % |
| Time to issue shipowner invoice | 7 to 14 days after sailing | 1 to 2 days |
| Productivity tracking | Estimated at end of call | Tonnes per hour by hatch and gang |
| Stoppage evidence | Disputed | Timestamped with photo |
| Gang bonus calculation | Spreadsheet, frequent disputes | Automatic per gang |
| Statement of facts | Handwritten | Generated automatically |
Scope, budget and timeline
Large container TOS suites are oversized and very expensive for a bulk stevedore. A focused tool, robust offline and aligned with the operator's tariff rules, is the better fit.
| Module | 2026 estimate (SGD) | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel call management | 15,000 to 25,000 | Arrival notices, stowage plan, documents |
| Offline mobile tally | 28,000 to 45,000 | By hatch, gang, hour, stoppages, photos |
| Productivity dashboards | 15,000 to 25,000 | Tonnes per hour, gang comparison |
| Billing to shipowners and receivers | 25,000 to 40,000 | Tariffs per cargo, demurrage, despatch |
| Shift and bonus payroll export | 12,000 to 20,000 | Shifts, productivity bonuses |
| Weighbridge and customs integration | 25,000 to 45,000 | Truck weights, manifest references |
| Total | 120,000 to 200,000 | About 6 months |
Plan: 1 month of scoping on the quay with foremen, 3 months of build, 1 month of pilot on 4 vessel calls, 1 month of rollout. At Kolonell, this belongs to complex custom applications, priced in the quote based on exact scope.
What to check before signing
Before the build, gather a full set of real documents from 3 recent vessel calls: tally sheets, stowage plans, weighbridge tickets, statements of facts and the final invoices. They reveal the true tariff rules, including minimum charges, overtime rates, shifting fees and cargo-specific surcharges. Next, decide who owns each figure: the foreman validates tally at end of shift, operations closes the call, finance issues the invoice. Then list the integrations that actually exist on site, such as the weighbridge software, the port community system and the accounting package, and check whether each offers an API or only file exports. Finally, plan hardware: rugged tablets, charging stations in the site office and a spare pool of about 20 % of the devices in use, since damage on the quay is frequent.
Mini case study
Daniel Tan, operations director of a Singapore bulk stevedore, handles 3 million tonnes a year at an average 4.50 SGD per tonne.
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- Stevedoring revenue: 3,000,000 × 4.50 = 13,500,000 SGD
- Current unbilled variance: 0.7 %, or 94,500 SGD per year
- Target variance with software: 0.2 %, or 27,000 SGD
- Gain: 67,500 SGD per year, plus invoicing 10 days faster
Add fewer demurrage disputes: settling 2 claims a year of 30,000 SGD each in the operator's favour thanks to timestamped evidence brings the annual gain to about 127,500 SGD. A 170,000 SGD build with 20,000 SGD a year to run pays back in roughly 16 months.
FAQ
Does the tally work without network on the quay?
Yes, the app records offline and syncs when 4G or Wi-Fi returns. A rugged tablet costs about 600 to 1,200 SGD.
Can one vessel carry several cargoes?
Yes, each hatch carries its cargo, receiver and tariff. A vessel with 3 hatches of cement and 2 of grain is billed separately per client.
How do we defend against demurrage disputes?
Each stoppage is timestamped, categorized and can include a photo. The statement of facts is produced at sailing, which cuts disputes over laytime.
Does it connect to the weighbridge?
Yes, truck weights flow in automatically and reconcile with hatch tallies. A variance above 0.5 % triggers an alert.
How many tally clerks need training?
For 3 shifts of 2 gangs, plan 12 to 18 clerks, trained in half a day. The interface uses large buttons and pick lists suited to quay work.
Let's scope your project. We define mobile tally, productivity tracking and vessel call billing with you, for go-live in about 6 months. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
