Apr 29, 2008 TBA sets new standards for port automation at APM’s Virginia Terminal Delft - TBA, the Netherlands-based provider of decision support, operations optimization and fleet control services, has successfully assisted APM Terminals North America with the design, automation and optimization of its new Portsmouth, Virginia Terminal. TBA has been involved in all phases of the development of the terminal, from its lay-out and conceptual design, via the detailed specifications, to the testing and tuning of its operating systems, thus servicing the terminal from start to finish. TBA’s CONTROLS software has supported the implementation and optimization of the Terminal Operating System SPARCS, which was developed by Navis. CONTROLS provides emulation capabilities that allow for realistic, extensive testing of the TOS of a new or existing terminal. By using CONTROLS, the TOS was deployed on time and able to deliver on the required efficiency and performance levels. During the project TBA has partnered with Navis, the global leader in enterprise software solutions for logistics asset visibility, control and optimization, and Gottwald, the German provider of port technology services.

The Portsmouth terminal has been in operation since September 2007 and is already showing an unprecedented combination of operational efficiency and terminal automation, thus setting new standards for the design of automated terminals. The APM Virginia facility can handle one million twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo containers. The possibility to expand has been secured by planning for a potential doubling of capacity. TBA will continue its strive for performance optimization by applying fitness checks on an ongoing basis and adjusting the TOS when new operational challenges arise.

Yvo Saanen, Managing Director of TBA, said: ‘the excellent performance to date of APM’s Virginia terminal shows the strength of TBA’s services, not only when testing and emulating software, but from the very start of terminal design. CONTROLS has further demonstrated its market-leading ability to optimize the performance of a terminal’s TOS.’

Rich Ceci, IT Director for AMP Terminals North America, said: ‘TBA has been involved from the very start of the conceptual design of the Portsmouth terminal. TBA’s assistance, ranging from the design of the handling system and layout until the functional specifications of the control software, has led to a high performance setup that is without comparison in the industry. During the software implementation phase, TBA's tools (CONTROLS) enabled advanced and complex testing. This allowed the terminal to reach a live date, while operating at high performance levels, at least 6 months sooner then would have been possible without using CONTROLS.’

About TBA

Netherlands-based TBA is a leading international provider of decision support and operations optimization services. Its product lines are concentrated around simulation, emulation and vehicle control. TBA’s simulation software (TIMESquare and TRAFALQUAR) enables container terminal operators to analyse short- and long term needs, quantify requirements and make the best informed decisions on the design of new or extended terminals. TBA’s emulation software (CONTROLS) ensures customers can test their Terminal Operating System (TOS) in realistic circumstances, thus allowing for enhanced implementation efficiency and optimized terminal performance. TBA’s fleet management system (TEAMS) supplies customers with advanced control over their automated equipment, including AGVs and stacking and double trolley cranes. Next to the software capabilities, TBA provides implementation, evaluation and operational assistance.

TBA’s current client base includes all the major terminal operators worldwide, such as APMT, DP World, EUROGATE, HHLA, HPH, MSC and Transnet, in addition to airports and the manufacturing industry. TBA is headquartered in Delft (the Netherlands) and has offices in Düsseldorf (Germany) and Satu Mare (Romania). TBA was founded in 1996 by Y.A. Saanen and K.P. van Til. For more information on TBA please visit www.tba.nl.
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