Identec Solutions, a wireless solution provider, has announced its participation in a container terminal automation project with Montreal Gateway Terminals Partnership (MGTP).
The Project Mercury initiative has a $11 million budget, $4.8 million of which is sponsored by a grant from the Quebec Ministry of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility.
Project Mercury intends to transform the way container data collecting and tracking are managed at MGTP’s two major container terminals in Montreal, Cast, and Racine.
The project will use a combination of technology to track and identify containers throughout the port, replacing human operations, increasing operating efficiency, and considerably lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The Terminal Tracker solution from Identec Solutions was chosen for the container position sensing system on Rubber-Tyred Gantry cranes (RTGs) and top handlers.
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This system has a proven track record of efficiency at the Georgia Ports Authority, instilling trust in its adoption at MGTP.
Identec Solutions is joined in the Project Mercury collaboration by Finnish business Visy Oy, which provides OCR and Artifical Intelligence (AI) technology for reading container numbers, and US firm REMPREX, which is in charge of system integration.
They will work together to develop an automated, real-time inventory system that does not require manual confirmation of container movement completion.
The system’s prototype installation on an RTG and two terminal tractors yielded promising results, prompting MGTP to proceed with full-scale installation at the Cast and Racine terminals.
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The Cast terminal is planned to be completely operational by Q2 2024, with the Racine terminal following shortly after.
Julian Galvis, VP Sales Marine & Ports Americas at Identec Solutions, said: “Identec Solutions is thrilled to be a part of this ambitious and innovative project.
“Our Terminal Tracker technology will be a significant asset to MGTP in improving operational efficiency, enhancing sustainability, and ensuring long-term success.”
The Project Mercury investments are designed not just for immediate cost reductions, but to provide long-term value and benefits.
With an accurate, real-time yard inventory, MGTP can reportedly share information with truckers and other stakeholders, allowing for better planning and optimised terminal operations.
This system plans to not only reduce truck turn times and yard shuffling moves but also significantly impact fuel consumption, contributing to a more sustainable operation.
This month, Identec Solutions updated its Terminal Tracker system with a new Shock Sensor VSM400.
