Container Terminal Automation, Technology and Operations IT Systems

Container terminal automation and technology is the principal field of Seaport Innovations and Mr. Kent Busk. Seaport Innovations provides services for small, medium, and large operations with the planning and design of high productivity and cost efficient operations. It is Seaport's’ philosophy and experience that small operations can operate at costs as low as larger operations, and that this can be achieved by minimum investments. Among Seaport’s expertise is designing cost efficient operations with high degrees of automation built into both greenfield and existing terminals. By designing and planning the terminal according to state of the art methods with the use of new technology, the terminal will have the best possibilities to work with future high volume throughputs and with minimum labour and equipment hours. Seaport has special expertise in conducting cost-benefit analyses for implementation of automation and new technology. Seaport has also developed related expertise in the specification and selection of container terminal information technology systems. The choice of a terminal IT system is closely related to the automation and technology of the terminal. Our work includes: Financial and cost modeling Cost-benefit studies Design of automated terminal operations Design of operating procedures Choice of handling technology and IT Computer simulations and validations Procurement of equipment and IT systems Redesign of processes Writing of specifications Project management With experience from planning and design of operations worldwide, Seaport takes into account governmental regulations, customer expectations, service levels, union regulations, etc. when planning and designing standard operating procedures, operations strategies, technologies and levels of automation.

Typical clients include terminal operating companies seeking assistance with automation, planning and design of container terminals. Other clients include port authorities at the terminal feasibility or design stage, governments evaluating port development policies and container equipment manufacturers. Some examples of recent projects are listed below: Design and Planning of Automated Container Terminal, APM Terminals, Virginia, USA, 2004 Advisory and Supervision on First Automated Terminal in Korea, BNCT 2008 Advisor concerning IT implementation for IBM, Denmark 2006 Design and Planning of Unmanned Straddle Carrier Terminal, 2005 Specification and procurement of Terminal Operating System (TOS), Gothenburg Sweden 2007 – 2008 Testing and Implementation of Terminal Operating System (TOS), Gothenburg Sweden 2008 – 2009 Specification for Terminal Operating System (TOS), City Deep South Africa 2008 – 2009