Part
01
of six
Part
01
Marine Terminal Challenges (1)
Some current challenges facing marine terminals/ports are handling larger ships and more Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU), optimizing terminal operations to improve productivity, and reducing the cost of operation. One widespread solution to these challenges is automation, and many marine terminal operators are adopting it.
Handling Larger Ships and More TEU Efficiently
- One of the recent developments in the world's largest marine terminals is the increase in the volume of goods transported by the global container fleet by more than double to reach over 200 million TEU annually.
- The cargo volume increase has resulted in the use of larger ship sizes, with the biggest vessels carrying up to 21,000 TEU and 23,000 TEU.
- While fewer larger vessels have an advantage over many smaller vessels, the world's biggest ports are grappling with the challenge of adjusting to the bigger vessels.
- One example is the port of Hamburg, which now has to handle peak workloads and move many containers in a short time. After moving the containers, "the piers often remain empty until the next mega boxers arrive."
- To fix this problem, the port of Hamburg relies on automation. The automation solutions to optimize operations at the terminal include upgrading one of its container terminal (CTB) by creating a highly efficient block-type storage yard.
- The port also deployed three new, fully automated stacking cranes (ASCs), which doubled the storage capacity at CTB. The terminal modernization and automation also "improved the Hamburg port operator’s environmental footprint."
Optimizing Operations to Improve Productivity
- In a survey conducted by Navis, 76% of the respondents admitted that optimizing operations to improve terminal efficiency and productivity as their biggest challenge.
- Some technological ideas and solutions being considered to or implemented to solve the challenge include using Navis' N4, a Terminal Operating System (TOS) that enhances operational efficiency in ports/terminals all over the world.
- According to Navis, the N4 TOS helped terminals move greater volumes of cargo faster than before, improve yard productivity, improve gate productivity, improve reporting quality, improve safety, and improve IT staff productivity.
- According to Richard Ceci, Senior VP of Technology and Projects, Virginia International Terminals, Navis' N4 product has helped them deliver a world-class experience to their port stakeholders.
Cost Reduction
- According to the Navis survey, 67% of the respondents, who are terminal operator/port operators, said that their biggest challenge was reducing operational costs.
- Leading terminals in the world are leveraging Navis' N4 TOS to cut on their operational costs.
- As per the survey, more than 50% of Navis customers have reduced their operational costs by 5%, while 35% lowered their operational costs by 15% or more.
- The cost reduction has been achieved in the following areas of terminal operations: