PSA and CDAS Partner to Launch SmartBooking Platform for Terminals, Haulers and Logistics Facilities across Singapore

Feb. 24, 2021 - In a concerted effort to drive supply chain orchestration and digitalisation, PSA Corporation Ltd (PSA) and the Container Depot and Logistics Association (Singapore) (CDAS) have launched ‘SmartBooking’ — an integrated one-stop booking platform for container depots, terminals, haulers and logistics facilities across Singapore.

Supported by Enterprise Singapore (ESG), Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), and Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO), this initiative will play a major role in Singapore’s logistics ecosystem digitalisation roadmap, and is part of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy to facilitate data exchange and enable the deployment of AI solutions.

Developed by PSA, SmartBooking is an online service platform which supports digitalization efforts by seamlessly connecting stakeholders across the supply chain and logistics value chain in Singapore. Through the single end-to-end platform, users gain higher visibility of the entire logistics flow, obtaining easy access to information such as vessel schedules, container movement events and planned activities. SmartBooking allows processes to be further streamlined, with the optimization of assets and resources, leading to a more efficient logistics ecosystem and an overall reduction in carbon footprint.

PSA, with advisory input from CDAS, has also introduced ‘iBOX’ (Intelligent Box Operation eXchange), a next-generation depot management solution that digitally connects the port with container depots across Singapore. iBOX is further integrated with SmartBooking for seamless data exchange, enabling better truck visibility for enhanced efficiency between logistics facilities and container depots, two major nodes in container transportation.

SmartBooking will enable users to arrange shipment efficiently, pool jobs, better plan their trips and track resource availability with ease, all on one easy-to-use platform.

Ms Seow Hwee, Head of Cargo Solutions Southeast Asia, PSA International, said, “By bringing players across the supply chain and logistics value chain onto a single platform, PSA, together with our valued partners, are championing to establish an Intelligent Logistics Ecosystem, connecting key nodes comprising our port, depots, warehouses and plants. This is important for driving interoperability between systems, and the robust exchange of supply chain-related information will transform our logistics community into a well-connected and resilient hub, further strengthening Singapore’s position as a leading logistics and supply chain management hub.”

Mr Ricky Loo, Deputy President of CDAS, said, “Our local container depot operators and transport operators look forward to embracing new and innovative solutions like SmartBooking and iBOX, which will not only improve our efficiency and the competitiveness of Singapore’s logistics and supply chain industry, but also elevate the skillsets of our workforce.”

SOURCE: PSA Corporation Ltd & CDAS

Port of Rotterdam Authority Launches Smart Bollard Trial at ECT

Jan. 26, 2021 - Along the quay of the Hutchison Ports ECT Delta terminal on the Maasvlakte, the Port of Rotterdam Authority has installed a smart bollard as part of a trial. The smart bollard was developed in collaboration with Straatman BV, Zwijndrecht.

By measuring the strain on the mooring lines in real time, the bollard not only allows the real-time monitoring of safety, but it also provides a clearer picture of which vessels can moor at which quays. The trial is in line with the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s policy of making the port more efficient through digitisation.

Empirical analysis

Until now, it has not been possible to measure the strain on mooring lines. The lack of exact data measured on moored vessels meant we had to assume maximum mooring loads exerted on the lines by the vessels and quay walls. These forces vary due to differences in local conditions. The smart bollard can help give us a better understanding of the forces involved.

Pilot

When force is applied to a bollard, it moves very slightly. A sensor measures the force and sends the results directly to the Port of Rotterdam Authority. Before the smart bollard was installed, it was successfully put through its paces on a test bench in Zwijndrecht.

Smart sensors

The Port of Rotterdam Authority specialises in the construction and maintenance of quay walls. It manages 80 kilometres of quay wall and 200 kilometres of bank shoring, monitoring the structures using collected data. For example, sensors are installed in many quays and the results have shown that quay walls last much longer than had previously been assumed. This research has now resulted in the updating of the European standards for structural design (Eurocodes). The smart bollard trial is part of a series of measures aimed at using digital technology to manage highly capital-intensive assets such as quay walls more efficiently.

SOURCE: Port of Rotterdam Authority

COSCO SHIPPING Xiamen Ocean Gate Terminal Completes 5G Unmanned DCV

Jan. 4, 2021 - Xiamen Ocean Gate Terminal under COSCO SHIPPING Ports in December completed its 5G unmanned DCV full-scale ship test, delivering another achievement in the construction of the terminal into a 5G smart port.

On December 25 in the F01 storage yard of Xiamen Ocean Gate Terminal, an unmanned DCV received a loading instruction. Relying on the 5G signal covering the whole place, the DCV drove to the container yard, completed the information exchange with the gantry crane, and then accurately transported a container to the spot under the shore bridge No. 101 at berth No.17.

Later, a traditional container truck arrived at the rear of the DCV to dock with it. The mixed-mode loading operation was completed in one go.

COSCO SHIPPING Ports, a subsidiary of COSCO SHIPPING, is cooperating with Dongfeng Trucks and China Mobile to actively promote the construction of smart ports based on the integrated advantages of all parties, building the entire service chain from standards, information through operation to realize systematic synergy between “human, vehicle, road, and cloud.”

SOURCE: COSCO SHIPPING

UAntwerp and Port of Antwerp Testing Innovative Technology for Autonomous Shipping

3D sonar sensors enable unmanned sailing

Jan. 7, 2021 - Automated navigation is the future of inland shipping. It may sound futuristic, but innovative research carried out by UAntwerp and the Port of Antwerp is bringing us one step closer to this dream. The key: 3D sonar sensors, inspired by the way bats see the world.

“In 2019, over 42% of all goods entered or left the port of Antwerp via inland waterways,” says port alderman Annick De Ridder. “In other words, inland shipping is crucial if we want to ensure the accessibility of our city and our port. By focusing on technology such as unmanned navigation, we want to further increase both the market share and the competitiveness of inland shipping.”

“Unfortunately, inland shipping is not exactly a sexy sector,” says Svetlana Samsonova. As liaison officer, she coordinates many different joint research projects carried out by the University of Antwerp and the Port of Antwerp.

“Attracting young talent to this sector is not an easy feat. That's why we focus so strongly on innovation. Unmanned vessels can lead to substantial cost savings, as well as provide an answer to our increasing traffic congestion problems and the rising costs of road transport. Smart vessels definitely have a part to play in the multimodal transport approach that the Port of Antwerp wants to help develop further.”

Impervious to Dust and Fog

Enter Prof. Jan Steckel. At CoSys-Lab, a research group in UAntwerp's Faculty of Applied Engineering, he develops advanced sensor systems that can withstand harsh conditions.

“In order to achieve fully autonomous navigation, constant monitoring of the ship's surroundings is absolutely crucial,” Steckel explains. “Cameras can be used, of course, but when visibility is poor — due to dust, water sprays, mud, smoke or fog — they don't work properly.”

Sonar sensors, however, remain fully functional under such circumstances. They can provide a reliable picture of the ship's surroundings at a low cost. Steckel: “We drew our inspiration from the way bats use echolocation. They emit sound waves, and when those waves hit objects, the bats hear the echoes of these collisions, allowing them to avoid obstacles flawlessly.”

Reflected Sound Waves

CoSys-Lab is a world leader in innovative sonar technology, which has many possible uses. For instance, the researchers are also looking into applications in the mining industry, where trucks equipped with these sensors could drive automatically from point A to point B.

For the project with the Port of Antwerp, the researchers developed a 3D sonar sensor with 32 sophisticated waterproof microphones. The project is called eRTIS, which stands for 'embedded Real Time Imaging Sonar.’

Steckel: “The information is transmitted in real time, because if there are any delays, the ship could crash into something. The 'Imaging Sonar' part refers to reflected sound waves hitting the sensors to create a picture of the surroundings.”

In the last weeks of 2020, the technology was successfully tested on the Tuimelaar, one of the Port of Antwerp's test vessels. In 2021, there will be a follow-up project: as part of the Smart Docking Innovation Challenge, the Port of Antwerp has given the green light to Prof. Jan Steckel's 3D Sonar and Lidar for Vessel Monitoring project.

SOURCE: Port of Antwerp