During PTI’s recent Container Terminal Automation Conference (CTAC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Dominic Magli, News Editor at Port Technology International, interviewed Harrison Nguyen, Business Development Manager at Realtime Business Solutions (RBS), a key partner for the vent.
Their discussion focused on how RBS’s TOPX Intelligent 3D platform, powered by super intelligent AI agents, is revolutionising terminal operations by shifting ports from reactive to proactive management.
How does the introduction of superintelligent agents shift the operational role of a TOS from reactive to proactive management?
HN: Superintelligent (SI) agents fundamentally changes the role of a TOS. Instead of reacting to inputs after the fact, these agents perceive their environment, learn continuously, and act proactively to optimise outcomes.
With TOPX Intelligent 3D, RBS has introduced an SI agent that goes beyond task automation. It becomes the “manager” of operations, surpassing human decision-making in both speed and accuracy, while continuously improving itself.
What makes it “superintelligent” is not just task automation, but the ability to learn, adapt, and continuously refine its own intelligence, driving terminals toward a state of full automation. This enables predictive maintenance, route optimisation, AI-driven resource allocation, and autonomous operations.
This shift from reactive to proactive management unlocks significant advancements. We now see systems that can anticipate and resolve bottlenecks before they occur, apply predictive analytics for maintenance and route optimisation, and deliver AI-driven resource allocation to ensure efficiency at every level of operations.
What makes the difference is the validated knowledge from 3D visualisation. Without it, an AI agent risks missing critical context. With it, the TOS becomes a proactive manager in anticipating challenges, optimising performance, and moving terminals closer to full autonomy.
In what ways can intelligent 3D visualisation improve collaboration between human operators and AI agents in live terminal environments?
HN: Intelligent 3D visualisation bridges the gap between human expertise and AI-driven decision-making. By transforming raw data into actionable knowledge, TOPX Intelligent 3D enables operators to see the same insights that the Superintelligent Agent uses to automate processes, predict disruptions, and optimise performance. This transparency makes collaboration intuitive, as human operators can trust and validate the system’s decisions in real time.
The digital twin aspect is especially powerful. It provides a shared visual context for both humans and AI agents, allowing operators to better understand complex operations and anticipate the agent’s recommendations. Instead of working in silos, human and machine intelligence come together, one offering strategic oversight, the other executing at scale to ensure more seamless terminal operations.
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How is RBS ensuring that predictive insights generated by AI are trustworthy, explainable, and usable in real-time by terminal staff?
HN: Trustworthy AI starts with complete and validated data. At RBS, predictive insights are generated by integrating information from the TOS, sensors, and connected systems within the digital twin environment. This ensures that every recommendation is grounded in real operational conditions, not abstract models.
Through TOPX Superintelligence, information is converted into actionable knowledge. Predictive analytics forecast delays, congestion, and efficiency opportunities; automated decision-making proposes real-time solutions such as rerouting, crane assignments, and berth planning; and optimisation algorithms continuously refine stacking, dispatching, and workforce allocation. Each insight is explainable within the 3D visualisation, giving staff clear context and confidence to act immediately.
By combining AI foresight with transparent visualisation, we make predictive intelligence not only accurate but also usable and trusted by terminal operators in the flow of live operations.
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What specific infrastructure or system preconditions are required for a port to successfully implement an autonomous AI-agent-powered Digital Twin like yours?
HN: The foundation is a reliable TOS. Our TOPX Intelligent 3D system is designed to integrate with any TOS, providing an intelligence layer on top. While it can function with existing infrastructure, the benefits multiply when combined with IoT and sensor data, enabling the Superintelligent Agent to “think” for every trailer, RTG, QC, and piece of equipment. This creates smoother, more coordinated execution across the terminal.
The greatest impact comes when AI intelligence is paired with automation. Automated equipment such as AGVs, ARTGs and ASCs, provide the precision, reliability, and accuracy needed for TOPX Intelligent 3D to predict and resolve issues before they occur. In this environment, optimised execution plans are carried out consistently without human error, resulting in perfectly optimised operations at all times.
How does your approach to full TOS-equipment integration eliminate the need for middleware, and what impact has this had on operational efficiency at live sites?
HN: At RBS, our system architecture enables direct TOS integration to the equipment without the need for middleware or third-party layers. This makes implementation more straightforward, less resource-intensive, and particularly effective for automated equipment – allowing terminals to scale and deploy automation faster. By removing the need for a middleware layer, we also minimise risk, maximise uptime, and ensure a stable, high-performance environment from day one.
The results at live sites speak for themselves. Seamless integration optimises workflows and real-time data handling, driving higher throughput and smoother operations across the yard and quay cranes. In fact, one of our customers reported a notable boost in ASC crane productivity, achieving over 41 moves per hour in certain blocks. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also shortens automation project timelines, enabling terminals to deploy and scale with confidence.
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From CTAC Asia, what feedback did you receive about the role of digital twins in general cargo or RoRo terminal environments?
HN: At CTAC Asia, we could sense that there is a demand for TOS solutions tailored to General Cargo and RoRo terminals, while the concept of a digital twin in these environments has not yet gained the same level of traction. Operators are focused first on reliable core systems to handle the unique complexities of these cargo types.
That said, at RBS we always take a future-looking approach. We are already in the development of both a dedicated TOS and digital twin system for General Cargo and RoRo. Our philosophy is not to wait for the market to ask, but to anticipate its needs, ensuring that when terminals are ready, the solutions are already proven and available.
Did conversations or feedback at CTAC Asia highlight any new priorities or shifts in how ports are approaching digitalisation and automation strategies?
HN: Yes, one clear trend is that ports are shifting from viewing digitalisation as a long-term ambition to seeing it as an immediate operational priority. The discussions at CTAC Asia had a stronger emphasis on practical, scalable automation rather than one-off projects. Terminals want solutions that integrate seamlessly, deliver value quickly, and can expand over time without adding complexity.
Another shift is the growing recognition that AI and digital twins are no longer experimental technologies, but essential tools for efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Ports are prioritising systems that provide trusted predictive insights, streamline collaboration between human operators and AI, and reduce deployment risks. This reflects a more mature, outcome-driven approach to automation, and it aligns closely with the philosophy behind our TOPX Intelligent 3D platform.
Harrison is a Business Development Manager at Realtime Business Solutions (RBS), and is passionate about how software can revolutionise industries. With his fresh ideas and burning ambition, Harrison is dedicated to helping terminals find the best solutions to optimise their operations.
