Today, every major port in the world is facing ship congestion, container clearance delays and truck drivers not showing up, which has caused blockages in the entire global supply chain.

This is where port automation emerges: cloud-based platforms such as port community systems will play an important role in resolving crises.

"The number of digital investments made by leading shipping companies and port authorities proves this fact. In the coming days, as IT solution providers quickly instill these technologies, technologies such as 5G, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will change. More relevant,” said Kale Logistics, a logistics solution provider.

The average time it takes for the carrier to leave the port is estimated to be 40 hours. In the current congestion situation, waiting time, unloading time and turnaround time have become uncertain. Kale Logistics stated in its blog post: “This important time reflects that even today, there are still manual activities in certain ports. Cloud-based platforms can seamlessly help overcome these delays through digital operations.”

According to data from the information provider IHM Markit, in August 2021, the time for ships to wait and unload cargo at major ports on the west coast of the United States has deteriorated significantly, with 348 hours in Los Angeles (255 hours in July 2021) and 268 hours in Long Beach (compared to 190 hours in July 2021). These numbers are approximately three times what they were before the August 2019 pandemic.

Sai Krishna of ICRA: "The challenges in the port automation process include labor resistance, especially in major ports, lack of skilled manpower, and coordination issues among various stakeholders in the logistics value chain."

What the port is doing In the first half of 2021, the Port of Antwerp handled 120 million tons of cargo, an increase of 5% compared to the first half of the 2020 fiscal year. High-performance 5G networks, autonomous drones or smart cameras for inspections or oil spill detection, the Port of Antwerp is testing all of these. Goal-complete remote control and management port.

The Utah Inland Port Authority announced a partnership with QuayChain Technologies to operate the so-called world's first dedicated network dedicated to supply chains.

Jack Hedge, executive director of the Utah Inland Port Authority, recently stated at the OceanWaves event organized by FreightWaves, “This [5G network] is just the next stage of infrastructure. By using this infrastructure, we actually The above is to create capacity in the system to make our goods flow more smoothly and faster. It increases the capacity and capacity of the system, otherwise it will require additional roads and railways."

QuayChain Technologies founder and CEO Andrew Scott said at the OceanWaves event that if the data cannot be sent back, the port will not be able to implement advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things. "The supply chain is all about communication, and for e-commerce, the speed of communication is crucial," Scott added, adding that the port is building a digital infrastructure using different methods.

The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) is a non-profit organization established by the largest container shipping company in 2019. Its CEO Thomas Bagge said that the great thing about standards is that they can achieve interoperability. "Then suddenly you opened the door for many other things."

Bagge added that when it comes to electronic documents rather than physical documents, the industry now has momentum with lawmakers. "We are seeing actions being taken by various countries-Singapore and India are good examples-which will make the digital exchange of documents possible."

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Chief Information Officer Andre Simha (Andre Simha) recently stated that the shipping industry has made progress in digitalization, "but the progress is very slow." He added that the industry needs to find a better way. Good way to communicate with each other.

MSC recently adopted the standardized 9-character Bureau of International Container Transportation (BIC) facility code (BFC), which coordinated all of its warehouses in a joint project between BIC and DCSA.

An official statement stated that, just like the three-letter IATA codes of airports around the world, all MSC warehouses can now be identified using the 9-character BFC, which is another step forward in the digital journey.

APM Terminals, part of AP Moller-Maersk, recently signed an agreement with port equipment manufacturer Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Corporation (ZPMC) as part of its "safer, better, and bigger" strategy.

The agreement includes ordering 18 ship-to-shore (STS) cranes and 9 yard cranes at six terminals, and reserves production locations for an additional 25 STS cranes and 62 yard cranes in the future. "The focus of this memo is the joint development and deployment of a wide range of automation solutions, including automated container handling equipment," the APM terminal statement said.

"Port automation includes the digitization of business, planning and support functions, the optimization of yard planning, container positioning and other operations, the automation of non-cargo loading and unloading processes at the port, such as gate procedures, identification, scanning, and truck routes, as well as cargo loading and unloading. Automation (ships and shipyards),” said Sai Krishna, assistant vice president and department head of corporate ratings for investment information and rating agency ICRA.

“Among them, Indian ports have been focusing on digitalization and automation of non-cargo loading and unloading processes in the past few years. The government’s Sagarmala project includes various port modernization projects and other initiatives, such as RFID-based door automation systems and electronic delivery through PCS. Orders, electronic invoices and electronic payments, container scanners to speed up customs clearance, etc. These projects are in different stages of implementation in major ports, and this trend is expected to continue. It is expected that the disruption caused by Covid-19 will also support more adoption of automation The need for measures. However, although the degree of mechanization of cargo handling has continued to increase in the past two decades, it may not be achieved in the short to medium term to increase the degree of automation of cargo handling."

MSC's Andre Simha recently stated that the shipping industry has made progress in digitalization, "but the progress is very slow."

The Port of Gothenburg recently launched the Port Optimizer track & trace application, which makes it easier for shippers, railway and terminal operators to track cargo from terminals to inland destinations in real time.

“We are very excited to be part of the digital journey of the Port of Gothenburg, setting new standards for cargo traceability,” said Nalin Jain, president of Digital Electronics at Westinghouse Brake, which developed the application. "Port Optimizer has achieved a breakthrough level of collaboration among supply chain stakeholders, including shippers, rail operators, truck drivers, and terminal operators, to achieve maximum port throughput and delivery performance."

Malta Freeport Terminals chose Cisco Ultra Reliable Wireless Backhaul (formerly known as Fluid Mesh), a software provided by Cisco to connect all mobile assets at the port, including quay cranes, RTGs, and yard equipment.

Adani Ports, India's largest private port company, has invested in futuristic and next-generation infrastructure, and invested in the convergence of modern technologies that focus on speed, safety, scalability, efficiency and experience. "We are developing a global standard next-generation, smart and futuristic port with in-depth drafts, highly mechanized and energy-saving terminals, multi-mode connectivity, and modern IT systems. We are building a scalable system to facilitate seamless information flow and update Fast decision-making, using the Internet of Things, cloud, big data, analytics, mobility and information security. We are building a simplified, intelligent and integrated business supported by data-driven insights and technology. Technology helps us improve efficiency and provide Better customer experience," Adani Ports in its 2019-20 annual report.

Adani uses a remotely operated robot e-RTG (crane) that can be operated anywhere in the world, improving their technical quotient and making the infrastructure futuristic. They also used a container location detection system, which modifies the existing e-RTG to solve the 50,000 possibilities of containers in the yard, and relays it to the terminal operating system (TOS) to avoid delays and errors (the system provides The hoist, trolley, gantry stack, yard and yard block use a combination of laser sensors).

Adani Ports introduced an anti-lifting mechanism for dual 20-foot containers by introducing a photoelectric sensor in the RTG management, which can lift two 20-foot containers together.

On the other hand, the Port of Rotterdam has developed the modular management system Portmaster. Jan Gardeitchik, Digital Business Development Manager, Port of Rotterdam Authority, said in an online post: “Based on big data and artificial intelligence, it provides accurate information about the arrival and departure times of ships, etc.” Portmaster can also track information about cargo-on board What goods are there, or in the case of a cruise ship, how many people are on board.

"Wharves, berths, and other port infrastructure can be digitally mapped in Portmaster and linked to information about accessibility and availability. How long is the terminal or berth? What is the depth of the water? When was the last dredging work on the terminal? Status?" the port said on its website.

The Port of Rotterdam is also promoting Portmaster as a service to other port authorities in the name of PortForward, enabling ports of all sizes to gradually increase their digital level.

PortXchange was developed by the Port of Rotterdam to provide a shared platform for shipping companies, agents, terminals and other service providers that they can use to exchange information about their port calls.

"Once the estimated time of arrival (ETA) is known, the ship will be assigned its own timeline in PortXchange. The timeline shows all events during the port call: from the ship's arrival and stay in the port to its departure from the port."

PortXchange combines public data, data retrieved directly from participating companies, and predictions from artificial intelligence applications to generate extremely accurate information about port calls. However, it will not share any information about the goods.

As many as 80% of the 230,000 port calls received by the port master in Rotterdam each year have been automated. “In September, the Port of Rotterdam Authority installed the world’s first 3D printed steel bollards on the new terminal at Sleepboothaven in Heijplaat, Rotterdam. These six bollards are part of a series of 12 3D printed bollards owned by the Port Authority and RAMLAB Joint development. 3D printed bollards are part of the infrastructure innovation plan. The Port Authority aims to improve the construction and use of port infrastructure through scientific research, innovation and digitization to make it more sustainable.” Its third quarter throughput report.

Krishna said that five major ports in India (Mumbai, Chennai, Deendayal, Paradip, Kolkata, including Haldia) are implementing enterprise business systems to provide a digital port ecosystem. “JNPT is a pioneer in the adoption of these measures by major ports and has therefore witnessed an improvement in performance,” he added.

The main challenges of port automation The challenges in the port automation process include labor resistance, especially in major ports, lack of skilled manpower, coordination issues between various stakeholders in the logistics value chain, and implementation of operating ports that may face the following difficulties Question Krishna said, or do not sacrifice capacity, productivity and/or revenue to implement automation measures in active operations.

“Although the above-mentioned challenges are aimed at process automation and digitization, there are other challenges in moving to mature freight automation, including high upfront capital costs and political risks associated with union opposition. In addition, this automation may also require cargo handling. Significant reconfiguration. Existing and ongoing loading and unloading operations at the terminal."

The automation of cargo handling functions may require high capital costs. Krishna said that, for a fully automated container terminal, for example, the capital cost may be between US$2 million and US$4 million per acre.

The product of technology company Cyberlogitec in Seoul, South Korea has been providing Internet-enabled TOS, such as OPUS Terminal M, which can promote the transformation of terminals from traditional on-site hosting environments to cloud-based SaaS products. “Therefore, the terminal can diversify IT spending and focus investment on the infrastructure assets required for terminal operations,” according to information provided on the company’s website.

Cyber​​logitec claims that OPUS Terminal M is a multi-purpose TOS that can handle all types of cargo operations-from containers to general cargo, from bulk (solid and liquid) to ro-ro ships. "Through 3D visualization, OPUS Terminal M allows terminals to view their yard conditions from all angles, and run filters according to preset standards to group containers and cargo."

Cyber​​Logitec is also promoting Eagle Eye, a data visualization and IoT platform that can be used with any TOS. "Eagle Eye provides real-time asset monitoring, tracking and control through its mature IoT platform, which supports various RTLS (Real Time Location System) protocols."

Navis is an industry leader in port automation, providing digital solutions including N4 TOS, N4 software as a service, master terminal, octopus, and business continuity.

Etienne Delvallee, Port Equipment Manager of CMA-CGM France, stated in a webinar organized by the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association that innovative solutions including smart glasses, 3D printing and drone inspection can improve maintenance, but require higher standardization.

IDC Asia Pacific Vice President Stephanie Krishnan (Stephanie Krishnan) recently stated in a webinar organized by Cisco that remote operation of ports, autonomous vehicles, command and control rooms, and drones may drive smart port data flow.

"The more data, the greater the ability to simulate, test, and plan results. Business partners will expect and demand increased data integration and automation."

Krishnan said that ports and companies in the supply chain need to develop strategic plans for technology. "Develop a digital strategy and roadmap that is consistent with the overall organizational strategy. IDC research shows that 73% of organizations lack an operational roadmap to implement a digital strategy. Plan to achieve continuous innovation and integration. This allows a continuous stream of data to support Operational flexibility development plan and roadmap."

Don Leyn, a Cisco port and terminal expert, recently stated in the "Modernize Your Ports and Terminals" webinar that efficient terminal operations are becoming more complex and capable due to increasing numbers, increased costs due to disruptions and network security issues. challenge.

Leyn added that terminal automation and digitization require high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, fast switching, and security, resulting in a challenging environment.

Shipping Minister Sarbanand Sonowal recently launched a port mobile application called MyPortApp. The application will digitally cover all port details and virtually monitor operations. It will contain various information such as ship anchoring, rake and indentation, rake receipt, container status, tariffs, bills, port holidays, etc., and can be accessed 24x7 anytime, anywhere.

Digital innovation in the Port of Hamburg was the main topic of the 2021 ITS World Congress recently held in Hamburg, Germany. At the exhibition, HomePort, the innovation park of the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), showcased the new technologies being tested at the port-3D printing, sensor technology, and underwater and surface drones. “Testing together and forming alliances is the future of the port. For example, the use of drones is one of the key innovations of tomorrow,” the video released by the Hamburg Port Authority shows.

HPA focuses on three areas-infrastructure management, traffic management and quantum computing to control the entire port area.

Therefore, the digitization of global ports is advancing rapidly, which will gain momentum in the next few days.

This article was originally published in the November-December 2021 issue of Indian Transport and Logistics News.

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