For over a century, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten has been transporting approximately 1.2 million visitors annually to and from the Wadden Sea islands of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. Keeping up with the digitalization trend has always been crucial for Wagenborg Passenger Services. Izak van Rhijn, head of the technical department, says, “Our ticket sales and boarding process are largely online. To streamline these processes efficiently, we employ a team of IT specialists.” For fleet management, the company has been using the MXSuite software application by Mastex Software for ten years, and there are ambitious plans for expansion.
The fleet consists of six ships: the ferries Sier, Oerd, Rottum, and Monnik, along with two high-speed passenger vessels, Fostaborg and Esonborg, plus two water taxis. Van Rhijn comments: “We navigate the shallowest parts of the Wadden Sea nature reserve. Our ships have a draft of only about 1.5 meters, and sometimes there’s barely a meter of water under the keel. Our fleet, built in the Netherlands, is fully adapted to these conditions.” Similar to public transport in the Netherlands, the ferry services to the Frisian Wadden Sea islands are regulated by a concession from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, which includes specific rights and obligations. Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten has been granted the East Wadden Sea Ferries Concession, which stipulates that the company is expected to operate transport according to the timetable approved by the Secretary of State. The current concession expires in 2029. Van Rhijn adds: “We have been providing this service for over a century and hope to retain the concession.”
MXSuite for Shuttle Buses and Forklifts as Well
The ships of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten are in close proximity to the shore organization several times a day, hence the company uses MXSuite for more than just the average medium-sized shipping company or shipowner might. For instance, many communication flows occur outside the software application. Currently, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten utilizes the MXSuite modules for Asset Tasks (maintenance), Asset Parts (inventory), Certificates, Safety, Documents, and FLGO (to track consumables such as drinking water, fuel, etc.). Van Rhijn explains what he values in MXSuite: “MXSuite is a user-friendly, intuitive program with enough functionality to meet our needs as a maritime ferry operator. We are currently rolling out MXSuite further within our organization. Eventually, all shore facilities will be linked to MXSuite. I hope to achieve a clear overview of all our assets, from the harbor office to the parking lot, baggage trackers, sweepers, shuttle buses, and forklifts. By the end of this year, we hope to have everything running in MXSuite.”
Training in the Use of MXSuite
About 150 employees of Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten are already somewhat familiar with MXSuite to varying degrees. Van Rhijn and his team aim for more intensive use of the software application. “We are not yet fully utilizing its potential. One of our goals is to develop a uniform approach for various processes that all our staff must follow in a specified manner. For example, the purchasing process. We want to make purchasing mandatory through the module in MXSuite.” Van Rhijn plans to roll out MXSuite in phases, including staff training. He intends to use the Mastex Software E-learning platform for this purpose. “Staff can then work on it at their own place and whenever they want. Or revisit the E-learning platform if they need to refresh their knowledge.”
More Targeted Analysis of Malfunctions
As head of the Technical Department, Van Rhijn seeks to have a clearer picture of what is happening where. “If all our maintenance work is well documented, we can analyze malfunctions more targeted and, for example, carry out preventive maintenance. If something breaks down now, a service technician comes and fixes the problem. But it could be more efficient. We hope to eventually have a good service history per asset in MXSuite. It’s all about having a better overview, which not only enables preventive action but also decision-making based on current data. If you don’t know what’s happening, you can’t manage it. MXSuite is not yet the backbone of our company, but we’re working towards that.”
Van Rhijn is pleased with the relationship with the Mastex Software team. “Communication is direct and straightforward. They think along with us and provide suitable advice. Even now, as we aim to have the entire organization run on MXSuite.”
