Digitalizing safety inductions and contractor management at Scandinavia's largest container terminal

Client: APM Terminals Gothenburg (Sweden)

Challenge: Manual safety inductions and paper-based contractor management and permit-to-work workflows

Solution: Safety Induction module and Control of Contractors module

As Scandinavia's largest container terminal, APM Terminals Gothenburg works daily with a wide range of contractors performing maintenance, engineering, inspection and infrastructure activities. Managing these external companies safely and efficiently is essential to maintaining uninterrupted terminal operations.

Before implementing Stowlog, both safety inductions and contractor management processes were handled manually. Contractors attended face-to-face inductions before entering the terminal, while permits to work, supporting documentation, approvals and compliance checks relied on spreadsheets, emails and paper forms. These fragmented workflows made it difficult to maintain complete traceability, monitor document validity and ensure that every contractor met the terminal's safety requirements before starting work.

To fully understand these operational challenges, the Stowlog team visited APM Terminals Gothenburg, working closely with HSSE and operational teams to observe existing procedures and identify opportunities for improvement. This collaborative approach ensured that the digital solution reflected the terminal's day-to-day operations and regulatory requirements.

The implementation combined the Safety Induction module, allowing contractors to complete mandatory training remotely before arriving on site, with the Control of Contractors module, which digitalizes the entire contractor lifecycle. From document validation and company approvals to permit-to-work issuance, digital signatures, inspections and permit closure, every stage is now managed through a single centralized platform.

Benefits Delivered

Digital safety inductions completed before contractors arrive on site.
Fully digital permit-to-work workflow replacing paper-based processes.
Centralized management of contractor documentation and compliance.
Automatic tracking of document validity and permit status.
Improved collaboration between HSSE, Maintenance and Operations teams.
Complete traceability of every contractor activity and approval.
Reduced administrative workload and faster permit processing.
A solution tailored to the terminal's operational reality through on-site workshops and close collaboration with terminal staff.

By digitalizing contractor management and safety onboarding, APM Terminals Gothenburg has strengthened operational control, improved compliance and created a more efficient and transparent environment for everyone working within the terminal.