GTI Preparing to Launch First-of-a-Kind Pilot with Fuel Cell Yard Trucks

March 2, 2021 - GTI announced that performance verification is nearing completion on new zero-emissions fuel cell-electric terminal tractors, and a first-of a kind pilot project is preparing to launch.

For 16 months, GTI and partners have been designing and assembling the tractors in a project called Zero Emissions for California Ports (ZECAP) that will assess vehicle operation in a demanding, real-world cargo-handling application. The hydrogen fueling equipment is in final assembly and slated for installation this spring, along with the delivery of trucks.

A terminal tractor, also called a yard truck, is a heavy-duty tractor designed to quickly couple and uncouple with trailers to move them within a cargo yard. More than 1,800 yard trucks operate at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, which is more than half of all cargo-handling equipment (CHE) at these ports.

Yard trucks are the single largest source of CHE emissions but are more difficult to convert to zero-emission fuel cells or batteries because of their variable duty cycles and fundamental requirements for power, versatility, and durability.

In the ZECAP program, project partner TraPac will operate two fuel cell electric yard trucks for 12 months. The trucks are Capacity of Texas Trailer Jockey Series TJ9000 gliders configured with BAE Systems electric drive powertrain capable of peak propulsion power of 200kW (270 hp) and Ballard Power Systems FCveloCity®-HD85 85kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The Capacity truck can store 9.1kg of hydrogen at 350 bar and will fill at an onsite Hydrogen Technology & Energy Corporation (HTEC) hydrogen fueling station with 182kg storage capacity.

Other project partners are Frontier Energy and ZEN Clean Energy Solutions. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) funded the project through a grant.

“We designed the project to maximize the time the trucks will be in service,” said Bart Sowa, GTI’s project manager. “TraPac is a 24-hour operation. The fuel cell yard trucks are expected to operate for two shifts and refill in minutes, with minimum disruption to TraPac’s operation. We’ll collect and analyze real-time operating data to evaluate safety, reliability, efficiency, and ability to meet operational requirements.”

This project is a step toward achieving the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles goal of using 100% zero emission cargo handling equipment by 2030.

The $11M project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

GTI is a leading independent non-profit research, development, and training organization addressing global energy and environmental challenges.

SOURCE: GTI

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