Fredericia Shipping, Fredericia, Denmark. Layout optimization of existing reach stacker operation. The terminal in Fredericia was handling only 35,000 TEU annually with expected volume growth resulting in a highly over utilized yard. In this connection, Seaport Innovations provided an optimized layout that would provide maximum stacking capacity and other improvements, but require only minimum investments.

Copenhagen/Malmø Port, Copenhagen, Denmark. 240% capacity increase in small straddle carrier operation. The terminal was experiencing an increasing demand for yard stacking space. Seaport Innovations’ assignment was to redesign the terminal layout, reorganize the stacking configuration, relocate and automate the gate, and optimize rail handling as well as the traffic to and from rail. By using industry best practice in stacking configuration and operations strategies the terminal stacking capacity was increased by 240%. The major capacity increase was done with only minor investments in new fencing and rearrangement of light poles, and new pavement marking. The gate were designed according to the local customs requirements and automated to minimize gate labor and clerks.

IBM, Denmark. Advisor concerning IT implementation. IBM was entering the port and terminal industry as total technology integrators. Due to Seaport Innovations expertise in operations design and planning of conventional and automated operations, Seaport was asked to assist IBM. Seaport Innovations’ role was to advise the company on project planning and execution and project management, as well as on cost-efficient technology and automation.

Aalborg Container Operation, Aalborg, Denmark. Master plan for reach stacker operation. In connection with the Royal Arctic Line award of a new contract to ACO, Seaport Innovations developed a master plan for ACO. The aim was to provide a terminal setup that would allow for high waterside performance and high service level, as well as maximizing the volume capacity.

Royal Arctic Line, Denmark.  Aanalysis of container terminal operations and organization, Aalborg, Denmark. Royal Arctic Line (RAL), the only shipping line connecting Greenland with Europe, calls at one European port, Aalborg, in Denmark. As RAL’s contract with the Danish port operator is expiring in 2006, RAL wanted a cost and service quality-benchmark for Danish ports to asses the most suitable port to utilize as a base. The benchmark included an analysis of the container terminal operations and organizations, access to and capacity of CFS facilities, access to rail, and proximity to transshipment facilities. An important decision driver to RAL was the pros and cons to their larger customers, as some of them have invested significant amounts in cold storage and agent offices. Last, the economic impact to RAL of moving from Aalborg to an alternative port was assessed. Because of the climatic conditions on the west coast of Greenland, especially outside the summer months, the vessels often arrive considerably outside ETA. The terminal must therefore have excess berth and crane capacities to provide the necessary service guaranties. Additionally, the terminal must have a good operations set-up with sufficient container handling equipment to turn the vessel around speedily. Seaport Innovations was brought in to assist with its expertise in container terminal operations analysis. Seaport interviewed the terminal management and visited the terminal operations to get a good understanding of their current operations efficiency, operations strategies, volume capacity, berth utilization, vessel productivity, quality of container handling technology, proximity to rail handling facilities, CFS, transshipment, unions, etc.

Confidential Client, Denmark. Terminal design and capacity study for a Danish container and bulk terminal operator. The operator sought a terminal operation that could handle ro/ro and containers without one operation negatively affecting the other. Because of uncertainties in volume growth for ro/ro versus containers as well as the limited yard area and quay length, Seaport Innovations' assignment was to design a flexible operation with minimum initial investments and high utilization of quay wall, yard area and handling equipment. Seaport carried out:

• Selection of cost efficient and flexible handling equipment

• Terminal layout, allowing simultaneously ro/ro and container operations

• Development plan for future volume expansions

• Optimum position and handling technology for rail operation

• Sizing, location and prices of infrastructure, superstructure and handling equipment

• Required investments in handling equipment and IT systems

• Estimation of labor and equipment hours

• Suggestions for container terminal organization

The innovative terminal solution has very high flexibility due to the selection of straddle carriers for the container handling. There is no dedicated container stacking yard, but a yard that can be expanded and reduced on demand. The 1 over 3 high straddle carriers allow a high yard density, releasing storage area for ro/ro cargo.