Quick Reference - PTFIT
OptiBook Go-live: Saturday, 8th November
Key Change: Containers can only be booked after they have been discharged (Status is 'Ready' in the Container List) and received a container availability date
Go-live and access
When does OptiBook go live? OptiBook goes live on Saturday 8th November. Until then, continue booking as you do today. From the 8th onwards, slots must be secured via valid containers in the container list.
Will there be system downtime during the cutover to OptiBook? Yes, the cutover will begin at 4:00 AM on Saturday, 8 November. The system will be inaccessible between 4:00 AM and 7:00 AM. Notifications will be posted on the VBS board and the OneStop website to inform users of the downtime.
Do I have to wait until the 8th to add my containers? No, you can add your containers now. They will still be there when you login on the 8th and beyond.
Where can I get help? An OptiBook guide is available via the Help Desk at https://help.onestop.co/hc/en-us. To access all OptiBook content, ensure you are signed in (check the top right corner), then click on Product Help. If you have any issues, contact support.
Booking rules and Container List functionality
How do I secure slots? First, upload containers to your container list. When a container shows Status "Ready", it can be slotted. To book a ready container, select it via the checkbox, click "Book", and follow the booking steps.
Does the booking screen live update? The page refreshes periodically. For the most up-to-date container information, use the "refresh" icon at the top of the screen.
Do I need a container number to book?
- Imports: Yes. Containers must be in Ready status.
- Exports: You can secure slots via a TBA booking, prior to receiving a ready status for your container. See TBA booking section.
What does "Ready" mean? "Ready" means the container is available to book.
- For imports: The container has been discharged from the vessel AND received a container availability date.
- For exports: The container is Ready only if the PRA is in the system.
What is the container availability date and how does it impact storage? Once OneStop receives a container availability timestamp from the terminal, the container becomes ready to book.
The container availability date is set to the start of the next full working shift after discharge. Storage begins three full days after the container availability date.
- Free storage (Container availability) starts on the next full shift of R&D operations, post discharge.
- It continues for a total of three full days beyond this point
- A calendar day must contain at least 8 hours of R&D operations to be counted.
- Any time from the point of discharge to the start of the next full shift of R&D is a 'free kick' for the transport operator.
Example: If a container is discharged at 8:00 AM Monday:
- The container is ready to book and can be collected immediately at 8:00 AM Monday
- The container availability date is set to 2:00 PM the same day (start of the next full shift)
- Storage begins three full days after 2:00 PM Monday
Where do I book Out of Gauge (OOG) and Nested containers? Out of Gauge and Nested containers must be booked in the OOG pool, not the standard pool.
What is the estimated discharge time? The terminal calculates the time they expect the container to be discharged, and sends this prior to discharge. This time is indicative only and is intended to help with planning, but is not guaranteed.
How often does the estimated discharge message update to OneStop? The terminal's operating system automatically updates the estimated discharge message from when the vessel is planned and in real-time while the vessel is working, up to every 30 minutes. When the terminal sends an update, OneStop displays the new time immediately.
If the container isn't Ready, can I still book it? No. If a container is not Ready, you cannot secure a booking, unless it is a TBA slot for an export.
Does a container need to be discharged to confirm it on a slot? Yes. For imports, containers must be discharged to be in Ready status.
Once containers are discharged, can I only book available slots on the day or two days in advance? You can book any available slot from the time of discharge up to two days out. If no slots are available, wait for the next slot drop.
Can I book containers on hold? Yes, but you're responsible for managing the hold before manifest and pickup.
Can I book multiple containers at once? Yes. You can select multiple containers from the Container List and assign them individually in the same booking session.
Do I have to monitor containers and the ready status 24/7 from the container list page? No. You can add your containers before they're ready to book and use the "Notify Me" feature, which emails you as soon as the container becomes ready to book.
Notifications
How do I get notified when my container is ready to book? Use the "Notify Me" feature on the Container List page. When you subscribe to notifications for a container, you'll receive an email as soon as that container becomes ready to book.
What triggers a notification? A notification is sent when a container moves from "Not Ready" to "Ready" status. This happens when the terminal provides a container availability date and OptiBook calculates the storage start time.
Do I need to monitor the Container List if I've set up notifications? No. Once you've added your containers and enabled "Notify Me", you'll be automatically notified via email when they're ready to book.
Slot drops and availability
When are slots released? Slots are still released two days in advance at 9:00 AM – no change to current slot drop timing.
If slots drop at 9:00 AM, can I book immediately? Not necessarily. Even though slots drop at 9:00 AM, you can only book slots when your containers are marked as "ready." This means you must monitor your container list and book only when containers become available after discharge.
When booking for Monday the 10th, will the slot drop still happen on Friday? Yes, slot generation timing remains unchanged. Slots for Monday drop on Friday.
Will vessel availability dates change? No, vessel availability times remain the same. There will no longer be vessel availability dates as individual container availability dates will be displayed in the Container List.
Will peak season affect slot drops or slot availability? No, slot drops and availability are based on terminal productivity and working arrangements, not seasonal changes. OptiBook does not change the number of slots released, but it does change the booking mechanism to reduce slot hoarding and improve fairness.
TBA (exports only)
Do TBA slots exist for imports? No. Import slots require a Ready container.
Do I need an import slot to book a TBA export slot? Yes. You must have a matching import to book a TBA export slot. You can link a TBA export slot to your import during the booking process.
How do I confirm my TBA booking? To confirm your TBA slot, add the export container number to the container list, then attach the export to the slot via the Booking List. This must be done before the zone opens, otherwise the slot will not be confirmed.
Do I get charged for unused TBA export slots? Yes, you will be charged a no-show fee if a TBA slot is booked but not used. You must add your container to the TBA slot before the zone opens. If you no longer need the slot, you must list it, and standard listing rules and fees will apply.
When do booked slots expire if not confirmed?
- TBA slots must be confirmed before the zone opens
- If a confirmed slot is cleared, you have 120 minutes to reconfirm it with a valid container
Manifesting
Is manifesting changing? No, the core process remains the same.
Can I manifest reefer with general containers? Are there still restrictions with reefer collections? Yes, reefers and general containers can be manifested together if they are in the general pool. However, limits per zone for reefer collections remain in place to manage throughput.
Can I manifest containers from the AutoYard with containers from the OOG yard? No, same as today, however OptiBook will now prevent you from being able to do this.
Storage and fees
When does storage start? Storage is calculated at the container level and begins three days after the container availability time. Since the container availability time is set to the start of the next full shift, there is an additional grace period before storage begins.
System and support
Do you need the Deliver App to use the terminal? No, the Deliver App is completely optional. You don't need to sign up drivers to use the terminal.
Can drivers be notified when zones open early? Yes, if a registered driver is added to the manifest and uses the Deliver app, they will receive automated notifications when zones open early. This helps reduce waiting times and improves efficiency.
What if container details aren't yet in 1-Stop (e.g. vessel delay)? You can still upload containers. Details will auto-update when the terminal sends them.
How long are my slots reserved when booking? When you add your first container in the booking window, a 3-minute timer starts. This timer is clearly visible as you complete your booking. You must confirm your booking before the timer expires to secure your slots.
What happens if the reservation timer runs out? If the timer expires before you confirm, the slots are released back into the pool and you will need to start the booking process again.
What is the limit of the container list page? You can add up to 500 containers to the container list page.
Are duplicate container numbers allowed? No. Duplicates are automatically blocked from being added to the container list.