“QCHAT has been
and continues to be an excellent platform for the MPOB’s auto customers. The
group works collectively to prevent damage and serves as a good networking
tool in order to bring customers in contact with all the various entities in
the Port.”
Frits
deGoede
General Manager - Marine
P & O Ports Baltimore,
Inc.
Structure and
Membership:
The QCHAT- Auto initiative
membership includes, but is not limited to, the following organizations:
ATC (Auto Transportation Clearing House of
Maryland)
American Honda Motor Company
American Isuzu
American Port Services
American Suzuki Corporation
Baltimore Packaging
Ceres Marine Terminals
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
Ford Motor Company/Jaguar
General Motors Corporation
Hoegh Autoliners
International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA
Local 333 & 953)
K Line America, Inc.
P & O Ports Baltimore, Inc.
Land Rover North America
Maryland Port Administration
Maryland Transportation Authority Police
Mercedes Benz, USA
Mitsubishi
MOL (Mitsui Osk Bulk Shipping (USA), Inc.)
NYK Bulkship (USA) Inc.
Pasha
Premier Automotive Services, Inc.
Steamship Trade Association of Baltimore, Inc.
Vascor
Wallenius/Wilhelmsen Lines North America, Inc.
Background:
In 1997, Maryland’s Port of Baltimore (MPOB)
community developed a pilot program which included key partners of the
port.
In 2000, a Charter was developed to
institutionalize the QCHAT approach and to highlight the importance of
quality to the MPOB.
38 auto-specific quality factors were
developed and assessed on a monthly basis.
Meetings are held on a monthly basis at the
Amports Atlantic Terminal Facility. Performance reports are provided on a
quarterly basis.
Facilitated meetings are led by two elected
Co-Chairs who help the QCHAT with assessing their performance and develop
strategies to improve.
Sub-committees meet on an as needed basis to
address key concerns in their areas of interest.
Sub-Committees:
Assessment:
A customized assessment
directed specifically towards the five strategic operational groups within
the Port: labor, terminal, vessel/port captain, stevedore, and processors
was developed. Committee meets monthly to analyze assessments and to
highlight opportunities for improvement, document the present quality
performance achieved within the Port, as well as to develop corrective
and/or preventative action plans.
Training:
Training was developed
for the ILA & management to improve the overall quality of the Port. The
training is geared to the quality handling of any self-propelled unit that
is handled in the Port. Emphasis is directed to the prevention of potential
quality defects.
Communications:
A platform was developed
to enable all groups to openly share information. Regular on-going meetings
are held which include a dialogue where any issues directly/indirectly are
related to auto handling is brought up, action items assigned, and due dates
established. Through the MPOB’s Communication Office, newsworthy events and
information are shared.
Quality Results:
Out of 38 key quality factors identified,
QCHAT determined 24 areas of focus for improvement.
Quality handling of autos has continued to
improve each year.
Overall cumulative quality average, which
evaluates compliance with all the quality factors is 97%.
Created by The Maryland Port Administration.
For General Information call 1-800-638-7519 or write to:
MPA World Trade Center, 401 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Web Site Disclaimer
