Smarter Terminal Operations, None of the Risk

WNS transforms shared services for terminal operators, powered by AI and human expertise.

Container terminal operators, crucial to global trade, are under pressure from labour volatility, rising on-site costs and mounting operational inefficiencies. WNS, part of Capgemini, helps enterprises transfer that pressure by transforming how non-core operations are managed.

With deep domain expertise and AI-powered solutions, we seamlessly transition on-site shared services, rebadge existing teams and modernize service delivery. As a result, enterprises enhance efficiency, address talent shortages and build resilient operations. WNS takes on the risk, so that terminal operators can stay focused on what matters most– moving cargo safely and seamlessly.

Operational Risks in Container Terminals

Most terminal operators today are facing critical challenges

Disproportionate Risk in Back Office

Finance, customer service, planning support and IT functions on-site carry a heavier share of operating risk than core port operations.

Labour Market Disruption

Workforce volatility across major port markets has made this exposure impossible to ignore.

Cost Concentration

On-site shared service centers concentrate costs, limit scalability and reduce flexibility.

Continuity Risks

Dependence on local workforce dynamics leaves continuity hostage to strikes, shortages or sudden disruptions.

The operators moving first aren't waiting for the next disruption. They are restructuring where the work sits, and who carries the risk.

Smarter Operations, Real Outcomes

Risk transferred. Costs reduced. Visibility gained.

Operating risk moves off
your balance sheet

Onsite cost reduction targeting
20–30% of onsite SSC costs

Enhanced unit-economics
visibility with advanced analytics

Tailored Shared Services for Terminal Operators

WNS manages end-to-end shared services operations across people, assets and processes. From day one, we preserve continuity while transforming processes from the inside, ensuring terminals run smarter, leaner and more efficiently.

Vessel operations

Planning support, documentation, analytics and reporting

Customer service operations

Service request management and triage

Finance and accounting

Billing, invoice reconciliation and revenue assurance

Terminal and yard planning

Optimized resource allocation for faster turnaround and reduced congestion

Data analytics and IT services

Embedded analytics and IT support to drive visibility and smarter decisions

Digital at the Core

Terminal operations run on legacy and homegrown systems that resist off-the-shelf automation. Our approach is built for exactly that environment, combining four components matched to how terminal work actually gets done.

RPA - for the high-volume, point-to-point tasks performed daily

Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) - for large-scale data extraction from attachments and documentation

Workflow automation - to manage and triage service requests systematically

Agentic AI - with WNS Malkom, an Intelligent Operations platform for judgment-based activities including deductions, exceptions and decisions

Driven by Excellence

Awards and Recognition

Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Finance and Accounting 2025

Leader in Finance and Accounting by Everest Group 2025

Leader in NelsonHall's NEAT Vendor Evaluation for CX Services Transformation 2024

Why Choose WNS for Terminal Operations

Agentic AI Integration that embeds seamlessly into legacy systems without rip-and-replace
Terminal System Expertise that ensures smooth integration with NAVIS and other platforms
Proven Domain Depth built on 25+ years of shared services trusted globally
Global Delivery Network that provides scale, resilience and 24/7 support across 65+ centers

FAQs

AI enables ports and terminals to improve vessel scheduling, berth allocation, cargo planning, yard management, and resource utilization. By automating operational decisions and providing predictive insights, organizations can reduce turnaround times, improve asset utilization, lower operating costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

High-impact initiatives include automated terminal operations, predictive maintenance, digital workforce management, intelligent planning, AI-powered analytics, and customer experience transformation. These initiatives help improve operational efficiency, increase throughput, and reduce operational risks while supporting long-term growth.

Reducing vessel turnaround time requires better planning, automated scheduling, predictive analytics, optimized berth allocation, and real-time visibility across port operations. AI-driven solutions help coordinate activities across stakeholders, minimizing delays and improving overall terminal productivity.

Automation streamlines repetitive operational processes including gate operations, yard planning, cargo movement, documentation, and equipment scheduling. Intelligent automation improves accuracy, reduces manual intervention, enhances safety, and increases overall terminal throughput.

AI helps address common challenges such as congestion, labor shortages, inefficient resource utilization, unpredictable demand, equipment downtime, cargo visibility, and operational planning. AI-powered analytics also improve forecasting and decision-making across the port ecosystem.

WNS combines industry expertise with AI, analytics, intelligent automation, and digital transformation capabilities to help ports and terminal operators optimize operations, improve customer experiences, reduce costs, and build resilient, future-ready maritime operations.

Re-imagine shared services with WNS and build terminal operations that are efficient, resilient and ready for what’s next.

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