Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Trust has announced the deployment of 5G technology at the container terminals under its Hong Kong operations.
Working with 3HK, five 5G base stations have been set up within HPH Trust Hong Kong terminals enabling ultra-high-speed, low latency, and massive machine-type communications, HPH reported.
These advantages are expected to translate into greater remote execution capabilities, more connected devices, and the possibility to implement virtual private real-time networks.
These container terminals have become the first 5G-operated terminals in Hong Kong, according to the company.
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The terminals are running three pilot projects.
The projects include building a communications channel via 5G to control remote rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs).
A CCTV system with Artificial Intelligence (AI) intrusion detection features will also be built at the gatehouse to strengthen the terminal’s security.
Another CCTV system will be built on quay cranes (QCs) to monitor berth traffic and operations on vessels in the second quarter of this year.
These implementations are expected to result in reduced operating costs, improved accuracy, safety performance, and operational efficiency, according to HPH.
The projects were kickstarted with the funding from the “Subsidy Scheme of Encouraging Early Deployment of 5G” by the Office of the Communications Authority.
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“We will incorporate 5G into the terminals’ development in our aspiration to become a smart port – including utilising emerging technologies like AI, IoT (internet of things), blockchain and machine learning, starting with autonomous driving in the container yard to workplace video analytics to enhance safety and operational efficiency,” said Ivor Chow, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Port Holdings Trust.
This announcement comes almost six months after the opening of the intermodal terminal East-West Gate (EWG) in Fényeslitke, on the Hungary-Ukraine border, which is also the first 5G-operated logistics terminal in Europe.
Additionally, in late October 2022, terminal operator at Santos Port Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) partnered with telecommunications providers, TIM and Nokia, to implement a private 5G network at the port.
