📍 TECH TOC Theatre
The automation of port & terminal operations has been a growing trend in the industry in recent years, yet it has not been fully implemented by the majority of the industry. The International Transport Forum (part of the OECD) published a report in 2021 titled Container Port Automation: Impact and Implications, which states that across the world, only 53 container terminals were at that time automated to a certain degree. That is around 4% of the global container capacity. Port automation can be grouped into yard automation, the automation of the terminal interface and the automation of the connections of foreland and hinterland. However, most automated systems are deployed only in the container yard, posing a question as to why that is. While the benefits of automation are centred around increased productivity, significant investments are required. Furthermore, the integration of automated processes and equipment into existing terminal operational systems (TOSs) present significant challenges in terms of re-adapting procedures, re-training staff, measuring the overall equipment efficiency (OEE) in the long term, and future planning. While some container terminals have opted for full automation, seeking lower cargo-handling costs and more efficiency, others have chosen to be semi-automated terminals, prioritizing flexibility. In addition to operations at the yard, latest trends also show greater use of automated warehouse management systems whenever available, improving the movement of goods while preventing stock shortages.With ports playing a larger role within supply chains, and with such a variety of options for automation technologies, a series of questions that remain to be answered: What is the right level of automation? Should automation be standardized or customized? And what are the metrics to measure automation’s return-on-investment?
KEY TALKING POINTS
What is the right level of automation? Should it be standardized or customized?
Is automation a better alternative for brownfield or green field projects?
Integrating automation into the TOS
Assessing the ROI of automation and the OEE
What are the main challenges faced by ports and terminals looking to automate their processes and equipment?
What future operational concepts will be the best fit for the ongoing increase of automation?
How can automated technologies optimize procedures within the supply chain?
MODERATOR
Laurence Jones, Director Global Risk Assessment, TT Club Mutual Insurance Ltd.
SPEAKERS
PRESENTATION TITLED TO BE ANNOUNCED Thanos Pallis, President, International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME) & Co-Director, PortEconomics.euAUTOMATING FOR A GREENER FUTURE: HOW PORT SUSTAINABILITY CAN BENEFIT FROM AUTOMATIONMikko Lepistö, Senior Vice President, BU Solutions, KonecranesADAPTING AUTOMATION TO THE TERMINAL, NOT THE TERMINAL TO AUTOMATIONUno Bryfors, Senior Vice President, ABBPortsPRESENTATION TITLED TO BE ANNOUNCEDPatrick Bol, Head of Port Expansions & Special Projects –Global Operations, DP World
