Port Technology (PTI) has continued its exclusive TOC Europe video series with Dan Pettersson, Senior VP, Kalmar discusses what eco-friendly developments the maritime industry needs to make. 

The PTI series has provided top executives’ views on different topics shaping the port and terminal industry.

View Kalmar’s products for ports and terminals in PTI’s supplier directory

PTI also investigated how optimization is taking place to make ports and terminals more efficient and what path these developments will take in the future.

Kalmar | Automated Cargo Handling Solutions for Ports & Terminals

Kalmar Global provides cargo handling solutions and services to ports, terminals, distribution centers and heavy industry around the globe. We are the industry forerunner in terminal automation and energy-efficient container handling, with one in four container moves around the globe being handled by a Kalmar solution. We improve the efficiency of your every move through our extensive product portfolio, global service network and solutions for seamless integration of terminal processes.

Open Interfaces: Standardizing Terminal Automation

Across the globe, container terminal automation is advancing rapidly. Automation, including the insights, learned from the data it produces, is almost universally recognized as the future of improved container handling productivity, safety, and business performance. However, when compared with other fields (such as the automotive manufacturing or process industries), automation in the container handling business is still in its relative infancy. This has meant that until recently, most terminal automation systems have been based on the extensive integration of various subsystems and solutions, rather than conceived as complete end-to-end automation systems such as those in other industries.

Maintenance of Automated Terminals

When converting a manual container terminal to automation, the first thing that comes to mind is installing automated equipment and building the infrastructure needed to run it.

However, to ensure the terminal is running optimally, the services and maintenance of an automated terminal also need proper attention. This focus must begin in the planning phase, continue through the deployment and start-up periods, and extend into maintenance planning and optimization over the lifetime of the terminal. Manual container handling equipment will work even if the machines are not in perfect condition, because human operators can work around the deficiencies of each piece of equipment or deal with exceptions in operational processes. By contrast, automated equipment always needs to operate faultlessly to ensure it does not become a constraint on the performance of the terminal. In a manual terminal, replacing or repairing an individual component or machine typically has a minor impact on the performance of the terminal as a whole.

Source: Port technology