International Container Terminal Services’ (ICTSI) has released more details about its fully automated Victoria International Container Terminal (VICT) after the international container handling facility at the Port of Melbourne, Australia, was completed last year.
The 35-hectare terminal has been built at a cost of nearly US$ 450 million to host the world's largest Neo-Panamax container ships and support an annual capacity of one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), with an additional 400,000 TEUs still yet to come after a second phase is completed later this year.
VICT has also secured a world-first with crane spreader specialist Bromma after an automated lashing platform (ALP) was implemented with quay cranes (QC) from ZPMC.
This groundbreaking ALP invention has removed one of the most dangerous jobs within a container terminal as twist-lock removal from heavy suspended loads can cause potentially devastating accidents.
VICT is also the only terminal in Australia to feature remotely operated QCs and driverless automated container carriers (ACC), provided by Kalmar.
The terminal integrated all automated application interfaces between the vehicle booking system (VBS), the terminal in and out gates, the movement of ACCs and ASCs, the primary terminal operating system (TOS), and all other automated systems associated with the operation of QCs.
VICT also uses light emitting plasma (LEP) luminaries and wireless lighting controls for night-time operations at the terminal’s 660-metre berth, which can accommodate two vessels at one time and handle megaships with capacities of up to 8,000 to 10,00 TEUs.
Five Neo-Panamax QCs, 11 ACCs and 20 automated stacking carriers (ASC) look after operations in the yard.
An additional three QCs, seven ACCs, and 12 ASCs are expected in phase two.
The terminal also has a dedicated empty container depot with an annual capacity of 280,000 TEUs.
Suppliers for the terminal included Australian firm Inver Engineering, the equipment discharge contractor, and South African firm Dimension Data, the supplier of network and systems infrastructure.
In addition, 1- Stop supplied the VBS and Navis supplied the TOS.
Camco supplied gate operating system and optical recognition, while Swiss ABB supplied the remote QC operations and automation, and American company Bright Light Systems supplied the LEPs.
Technical Paper: VICT: Where Technology and Community Interface
VICT is part of the Port of Melbourne’s Port Capacity Project, a Victorian state government initiative to redevelop the Webb Dock East area and meet increasing trade volumes in Melbourne, Australia’s largest maritime hub for containerized cargo.
Melbourne’s newest container terminal came about as part of a public-private partnership (PPP) for a 26-year concession between ICTSI and the Port of Melbourne Corp.
It has been completed below budget and four months ahead of schedule by Contractor BMD Constructions and terminal designer AECOM.
The terminal is located north of Port Phillip Bay at the mouth of the Yarra River in the Port of Melbourne’s Webb Dock East.
Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI Senior Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific region, said: “VICT has selected leading technology from around the world for every step in its operations.
“For the first time anywhere in the world, a terminal has been created that seamlessly uses automated operations from ship to shore.
“Integration was key to this innovation—putting all these technologies together. That’s why VICT is the most advanced container terminal in the world.”
VICT was awarded the Smart Infrastructure Project Award at the 2017 National Infrastructure Awards in Sydney held in April 2017.
The facility has also received a design rating of 'leading' from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) and is currently pursuing the permanent and ultimate rating of “as-built” from ISCA.
Gonzalez added: “These recognitions are proof that we are changing the game not only in Australia but in the world.
“VICT exists to serve the world’s leading shipping lines. We operate with their customers in mind, with a terminal that’s designed to add value throughout the supply chain.
“We allow streamlined, 24/7 unhindered access for trucks, a welcome haven from Melbourne’s congested road system.
“When our customers drop anchor at VICT, they know their experience will be as efficient, safe and secure as they can find anywhere in the world.”
