Closing the Storage Revenue Gap in Your CFS Operation

Storage billing is one of the most consistent sources of revenue leakage in container freight station operations. Manual job creation, inconsistent SLA rules, and visibility gaps mean billable days quietly disappear. Origin CFS Cargo Storage Tracking fixes this, automatically.

View our March release here.

The challenge

The familiar story: cargo arrives, gets unpacked, sits in the yard for days or weeks, then gets collected. Somewhere in that process, storage billing gets missed or disputed. Different clients have different free-day SLAs. Despatch teams don't always know how long cargo has been sitting before they release it. Finance discovers weeks later that containers left without storage being charged.

The result is revenue leakage, billing disputes, and operational inefficiency from manual processes. For a busy CFS operation, the lost revenue from missed storage billing can be substantial.

Why it gives your CFS operation the edge

Manual storage billing is both time-consuming and unreliable. When billing depends on staff remembering to create jobs, calculating days, and cross-checking client SLAs, errors are inevitable. Automated, rule-driven storage billing removes that dependency entirely, and gives every team in your operation a clear, live picture of what's accruing.

What's new

Automated financial lifecycle

• Automatic job creation Storage jobs are generated automatically when cargo is unpacked. No manual step, no forgotten billing. Every movement enters the billing cycle from the moment it's on-site.
• Dynamic storage calculations Storage date rules are configurable per branch and per order type. Whether a client has three free days or seven, the system applies the right SLA automatically.
• Real-time rate visibility A dedicated Cargo Rates Tab shows live storage charges directly against each cargo record e.g. current days on-site, applicable rate, total charge, and whether free storage days have been exceeded.
• Storage-based release controls Cargo with outstanding storage charges cannot be outbounded without a deliberate override. The default behaviour protects revenue; exceptions require conscious action.

Operational visibility

• Outbound Workbench integration Despatch teams see storage status directly in their existing workflow — days on-site, outstanding charges, and release readiness — without switching to another screen.
• Live "Days in Yard" tracking Storage days are calculated from the moment cargo is unpacked. The count updates continuously, giving operations teams an accurate, real-time view of yard dwell times.

Data accuracy and integrity

• Storage Start Date alignment for FAK cargo Auto-rating for Freight All Kinds cargo is configurable against the Storage Start Date, ensuring billing commences precisely when goods occupy depot space.
• Refined cargo storage UI Updated screen layouts make it easier for staff to navigate between cargo details, rates, and outbound status without getting lost across multiple screens.

Part of the Origin Platform

Storage data flows automatically into Origin Finance for accurate job-level billing, and into the Origin Customer Portal so clients can see storage charges accruing in real time, reducing disputes before they start.

Measurable impact for CFS operators

CFS operations implementing Cargo Storage Tracking typically see:

• Estimated 10–25% improvement in storage revenue capture through eliminating missed billing
• Fewer billing disputes — accurate start dates and proactive communication prevent arguments before they start
• Improved cash flow through timely storage invoicing and faster payment cycles
• Zero manual storage job creation — fully automated from unpack through billing
• Better yard management — visibility of cargo dwell times enables proactive space management

Getting Started

CFS Cargo Storage Tracking is available now for Origin CFS customers. If you would like to see it in action, contact us here.