Container Handling

Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) are a proven automated transport system for container terminals. Since the introduction in 1993 at ECT in the Port of Rotterdam, AGVs have been used at more than 10 sites across the world. Currently, AGVs are there with the most successful automated transport system in container terminals. AGVs are reliable and can support high Quay Crane (QC) productivity In addition, battery AGVs have been available since 2012, supporting zero-emission terminals.

In today's fast-evolving container shipping industry, the challenge is not a lack of available data but the huge amount of unstructured data sources. In the past, the container shipping industry might have faced challenges due to low digitisation and limited data availability. However, in today's modern supply chain, each stakeholder is both dependent on multiple data sources and generating crucial information for others in the ecosystem.

In 2020, INFORM’s Dr. Eva Savelsberg sat down for an interview with Matthew Wittemeier to share her perspective on global trends, technology, society, and environmental issues that were pushing and pulling the global supply chain. At the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the trends discussed were accurate. In INFORM’s latest article, Eva and Matthew have once again sat down for an in-depth discussion of the state of the industry.

Industrial automation and control systems have a direct effect on the physical world, while cybersecurity incidents can lead to financial, health, safety, and environmental impacts. Potential threat scenarios range from data security breaches and ransomware attacks to the theft of goods and even shutting down the operations of the entire port.

Decarbonising our operations is a priority at APM Terminals and to succeed in that, we must overcome some of the main roadblocks for our industry, with fragmentation being one of the most challenging. In decarbonisation, speed and scale are not just the name of the game (and that of a great book by John Doerr), they're imperatives in the battle to protect our planet.

Identifying and weeding out waste in your supply chain is not only paramount for sustainability but also for bolstering your bottom line. At its core, a sustainable supply chain is centred around achieving greater results with less resource usage. With that goal in mind, optimising your operations is a necessity.

As an established family business with over 90 years of experience, it is in our DNA to promote innovation internally. Our company vision gives us the goal to be technical frontrunners and market leaders in our core industries and areas.

BOXBAY allows for direct access to containers without reshuffling and uses a much smaller footprint than conventional stacking yards. It works like a library - except each book can weigh 40 tonnes.

In the rapidly-evolving ports industry, Hutchison Ports has emerged as a frontrunner in driving transformation through its relentless investment in research and development. The company’s commitment to automation and technological advancements is revolutionising container terminal operations, making it a preferred partner for technology and equipment suppliers worldwide.

Safety is a key concern for terminal operators, and one of the key areas to address is applications in which heavy container handling equipment must operate in areas with mixed traffic or people. Equipment or cargo damage can lead to costly delays and disrupt operations.

Located in Brazil’s southernmost seaport, Rio Grande Container Terminal has repeatedly demonstrated a forward looking approach to technology since opening its gates in 1997. Known as Tecon Rio Grande, the operation has earned a reputation as a high-productivity facility connected by water, road and rail, with a capacity of 1.42 million TEU.

The intermodal industry is constantly on the lookout for new solutions to make operations more sustainable. For terminal operators, it is vital to reach their sustainability goals and at the same time improve their performance and cost-efficiency. With new approaches, a fully electric power supply for container handling equipment can be achieved, also in exceptional cases where it was not possible before.