The hyperdynamic COVID-19 has caused tumultuous events to unfold, cornering businesses and operations into unfamiliar grounds. For a long time, the industries involved with the supply chain and logistics have adhered to traditional methods, which has proved to be detrimental as it can no longer sufficiently respond to the downturn of economic health. The operational flow will continue to suffer a dear amount if authorities fail to emerge from complacency and accept some technological innovations like AI. Therefore, the implementation of a consistent and ubiquitous framework is necessary to deliver best-practice measures to protect the livelihood, wellbeing, and safety to both individuals and businesses.

Achieving a consistent industry-wide solution requires diligence and patience. Technology is continually evolving, and although it may impose significant changes, it is a sustainable approach offering long-term benefits that provide reliability and stability in unprecedented events. However, to ensure the best performance derives from an AI application:

1. TOS must operate on a true real-time architecture that enables both shared memory and in-memory processing.

2. TOS can move operations in the cloud to achieve maximum flexibility, as well as implement optimization and automation tools to strengthen AI capabilities.

3. TOS must operate in a single server infrastructure for consistent and instantaneous data flow.

Although tactical planning consists of smaller short-term steps to reduce immediate impacts, you cannot remedy a problem of global magnitude with a temporary solution. Therefore, it is crucial to practice precaution and evaluate product specifications against your criteria before implementation. More substantial due care must be employed to keep an open mind and leverage optimal levels of such an incredible innovation. Technology advancements no longer connote a downturn of investments or revenues, but rather, has risen as a catalytic force that fights economic contractions.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), at its full potential, can help solve the world’s most significant challenges. Its promises to synthesize, analyze, detect patterns, develop insights, and determine predictions across various dimensions, beyond human capacity is what truly makes us marvel at its constructs. The idea that AI can apply across all industries ranging from health to supply chain further endorses its rising endearment. However, before the world can progress from machine learning into deep learning, it will only prove useful if the foundation already embeds the core blocks required in its current infrastructures and system architectures.

Why is AI relevant to the maritime and container industry?

Nations worldwide have now entered a low-growth economic reality, and the impacts of the worldwide pandemic that were not immediately obvious are now gradually coming to light. While some shipping liners and ports have projected a positive Q1, the epidemic has declared a pandemic in March. Consequently, reports generated for January to March are not accurate indicators, and we are likely to foresee a stark change in results for Q2.

Global trade relationships have had to readjust and implement new reforms to respond to the dwindling supply as crucial players of the supply chain have had to disconnect since the financial burden is too much to bear. Blank sailings, low cargo volumes, and a stark drop in consumer demand are a few of the many impacts ensued from the pandemic. Port authorities overwhelmed at the limited resources on-hand and forced to navigate through such unprecedented events have called for an imminent introduction of technologies like AI.

How can AI help achieve goals and visions?

AI may well be our savior, guiding us to answers we have been struggling to construe. Gathering data is an easy task; it is making sense of the masses of data that proves to be a challenge. Now that the world is adopting a more liberal approach towards technology, AI is gradually gaining traction and will soon deploy more intelligent integrated tools that combat problematic areas within operations. The availability in computational power doubling every three and a half months allows software providers to expand on AI applications and close the gap to achieving deep learning.

Port and terminal operators can heighten operational visibility by introducing predictive analytics. It is a subset of AI that resonates with machine learning and contributes significant value to TOS operators by determining the possible scenarios when dealing with bottlenecks and supposes the best alternative while factoring in specified parameters. Processing the data, then learning, and devising predictions at a magnitude and detail level impossible for an individual human to comprehend, inherently achieves optimization in operations, processes, and resources – something all ports and terminals desperately need in this time of uncertainty.

AI capacity broadens from its ability to draw on a substantial database of scenarios instantly, develop responses to questions, and devise a decision or device that can challenge a way that a human cannot. Its ability to naturally learn from previous answers, and continually improve its learning approach to meet requirements, further reinforces the power of AI. If this is the beginning of AI, imagine the possibilities as it progresses…

All industry experts in the supply chain have been enduring significant hardship in this time of ordeal. However, this period has warranted many valuable lessons that will only drive resiliency and strengthen strategic plans. It is also crucial to note that given the crisis, the available pool of resources has depleted to meet the new level of demands, forcing ports and terminals to cultivate or make further adjustments to their strategy that will drive optimum performance.

Given the current and unprecedented circumstances, ports and terminals are struggling with lessened cargo flow and the reduced size of personnel. In response, the industry has investigated the potential of Cloud TOS and automation. 

A cloud environment that can support TOS users working from home without compromising security has taken a more profound interest. Strict quarantine social distancing measures have compelled port and terminal executives to realize this digital transformation previously dismissed. Similarly, automated CHEs will rise in the upcoming years to reduce costs and errors while maximizing return on investment. Therefore, we can anticipate a positive outlook on advancing technology as port and terminals become accepting of the Cloud TOS combined with automation.

TIC 4.0 was founded in 2019 and brings together leading terminal operators, equipment manufacturers and solutions providers to promote, define and adopt standards. Now, the initiative has been formally registered during a ceremony in Brussels, Belgium.

In a statement, TIC 4.0 said Boris Wenzel, Managing Director, Terminal Link, would be its president and Norbert Klettner, Managing Director, RBS-EMEA, its vice-president.

Frank Kho, who has numerous experience with terminal operators and equipment manufacturers, will become CEO. The current 20 members of TIC are a good mix of terminal operators and suppliers in the industry, who are Hyster-Yale, Kalmar, KoneCranes, Kuenz, Liebherr, NAVIS, Phoenix Lighting, RBS, SICK, TBA, TMEIC, ZPMC, APMT, Bollore, Eurogate, Port of Koper, PSA, Terminal Link, MMC Ports and Yilport, several other organizations have expressed their interest to join this unique initiative.

The goal of TIC 4.0 is to promote, define and adopt standards that will enable the cargo-handling industry to embrace the 4th Industrial Revolution. Therefore TIC 4.0 will also strive to attract more members from the terminals operators as well as industry suppliers.

Its initial objectives are as follows:

• Define and agree on a common semantics and definitions among the companies involved in the cargo handling industry, both terminal operators and port solution providers.

• Develop communication protocols and frameworks that will be adopted by the port industry players for seamless data communication regardless of the manufacturer or type of equipment/machine.

• Facilitate the inter-operability of different information sub-systems of a cargo handling facility.

• Promote the adoption of selected existing standards and those developed by TIC 4.0 by the sector.

“I really feel that both energy and commitment prevail among TIC 4.0 members to achieve the goals we have set. I believe that to achieve these goals, the cooperation between terminal operators and solution providers is a great critical success factor,” said Frank Kho.

“TIC 4.0 members all believe that the work on standardization is of utmost importance for our industry in the context of increased digitalization of the supply chain. It will also enable the adoption of innovative processes and solutions” added Boris Wenzel.

Click here to visit RBS EMEA.

Realtime Business Solutions (RBS) are the pioneers in delivering proven and state-of-the-art solutions for all marine terminals worldwide. The latest breakthrough introduces SmartTrack as a powerful new feature integrated into TOPX TOS, setting the new path for terminals which resolves all areas of inefficiency.

SmartTrack is an incredible tool factoring time, distance and speed to determine the shortest route to move a container from one location to another. However, the function solves the bigger picture. Straddle carriers, trailers, and reach stackers are constantly moving around the yard and are typically given the simple work instructions to transport a container from one block to another. Without SmartTrack, there are indefinite route possibilities to reach their assigned destination, and therefore, the equipment travels more than necessary. When the resources exhausted are placed into retrospect, the amount of equipment active in a terminal can total to thousands, and the amount of fuel required multiplied by the days tells that the terminal is suffering dearly annually.

SmartTrack is critical for a terminal concerned with cost factors, working towards a green terminal, reducing fuel, and increasing overall efficiency. It is the solution for terminals as it:

• Increases efficiency – Optimum route for equipment is executed as containers are moved within the shortest distance, and provided precise directions to reach the destination, achieving maximum productivity of all CHEs.
• Cost-efficient – SmartTrack protects CHEs against wear and tear, maintaining their value, and reducing maintenance and repair costs.
• Optimum Performance – SmartTrack maps the best and shortest path, tracking all CHE moves and time taken to complete a path, and therefore, achieves maximum traceability to pinpoint when and where a problem can occur.
• Timesaving – No leeway for error or miscalculation since route incorporates every factor from time, speed to distance.
• Environmentally Sustainable – Massive savings from lessened fuel consumption due to optimum route calculation, which also lowers carbon emissions. With SmartTrack, it is a huge step towards greener terminals.
• Heightens Safety – SmartTrack tracks movement in real-time, alerting the CHE operator counteractive directions needed to get back on the correct path. Eliminates all guessing which inherently decreases the number of potential accidents from occurring.
• Congestion Control – Determines and forecasts exact areas experiencing bottlenecks which assists in the yard and resource planning.

“Congestion generates huge financial and environmental losses every year and I fear that terminals are missing the chance to leverage the results they deserve,” says Harry, CEO of RBS. Are you seeing all the above?

There is an inherent interrelation between technology and trade – whereby inducing advancements in technology instigates further growth of globalization. With containerization playing an integral role in this process, it is critical to understand that the global supply chain has become incredibly dependent on terminals to fuel the economy. Countries worldwide who are working towards a more sustainable economy, hint that terminals, regardless of their size or type of cargo they manage, must expedite their presence in the Container Handling Industry to participate as well as attribute to the growth in the economy. Therefore, all terminals must ensure their operations are always executed at the optimum and adopt a Terminal Operating System (TOS) that is best tailored to their current and future needs at a cost-effective price.

The purpose of a TOS is to accommodate to all operations and processes which provide palpable insight to assist in planning and heed greater visibility over the performance of terminal operations. Selecting a static TOS that only satisfies current projected requirements is an illustration of tactical planning that centralizes only on short-term goals. Although tactical planning can generate immediate results, it may also pose as a barrier to prospective success. Terminals, as a result, must be diligent when selecting a TOS that not only fulfills specialized needs but reinforces both tactical planning and strategic planning to conjure functionalities that are also future proofed. As a terminal grows, their operations and objectives inevitably change, requiring a flexible TOS that can easily accommodate to these scalabilities without incurring irrational expenses or fuss.

Rejecting a TOS with comprehensive functionalities conform to the narrow mindset that limits future opportunities and paves a broader stream for operations becoming obsolete or ineffective. Instead, terminal operators should take prudence and care when selecting a TOS such that it adheres to these following elements:

• Scalable – easily add memory and various modules such as Automation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Optimization, etc. when terminals encounter a change in objectives or respectively experience higher throughput and growth
• Flexible – an open TOS system that can interface with any third-party systems such as Gate Operating Systems (GOS), DGPS, automated CHEs, etc. to support automation, business intelligence, and IoT strategies
• Future proofed – avoid TOS’s which integrate just enough functionalities to satisfy current needs as it may be lacking in capabilities due to poor and redundant infrastructure. Seek for a TOS that has all-inclusive functions that accounts for every possible container operation on the spectrum to increase efficiency and limit unproductivity
• Cost-effective – the pool of TOS’s that can concurrently perform exceptionally, offer various and comprehensive functionalities, and provide services at a low price is extremely limited and difficult to discover in the market. Terminal operators should, therefore, consider adopting a true cloud-based TOS to leverage all these benefits without compromising their financial resources

The overarching inference warrants that a terminal operating system in the cloud is the most viable choice as it encompasses all factors ranging from scalability in functionalities to the most imperative; future proofing. When a TOS has purely manifested a cloud architecture, it is embedded with the capabilities to integrate any additional modules and ingest data in any manner which alleviates the need to adopt other external systems and data sources to operate. Any sentiments challenging this conception is a direct indication that the proclaimed cloud TOS is built on a forged infrastructure which is resource intensive and consequently cannot afford adhering to a pay-as-you-go model to offering cost-effective prices.

Although it may not be critical to the operations now, does not excuse it from being crucial for the future. Limit the pool of providers and instill a reliable web-based TOS that truly cares about your future. Never settle for less and find a TOS provider that is committed to your success.

Realtime Business Solutions (RBS) has signed another contract with Pelindo 1 on August 2018 for PT Prima Terminal Petikemas in Medan, Indonesia (PTP). PTP follows in the footsteps of PT Prima Multipurpose Terminal in Kuala Tanjung, Indonesia, as it orders identical ARTGs from Konecranes and adopting the RBS TOPS Expert System. The Go Live date for this Terminal is planned to be in the early months of 2020. RBS is glad to be part of the new Automation wave in the Indonesian terminals.

Pelindo 1 has teamed up with the Port of Rotterdam Authority and DP-World to develop an integrated port – PT Prima Multipurpose Terminal in Kuala Tanjung, Indonesia (PTM). The multipurpose terminal has a 30,000 square metre dock and a 2.8 kilometre trestle for four truck lanes with a width of 18.5 meters. With huge investments of US$2.5 billion into the Multipurpose terminal, PTM adopted Konecranes’ Automated RTGs (ARTGs) for their operations, along with RBS TOPS Expert System to control and manage their operations. RBS TOPX Expert system is fully integrated with the Konecranes’ automation and works together to improve operational efficiency. The contract with RBS was signed in July 2018 and RBS TOPS successful Go Live was on 15/02/19. With its new automated equipment and integrated TOS, PTM has a positive outlook to achieve its goals for 2019 and years to come.

The implementation was done by RBS together with the local partner and in close cooperation with the customer. This setup bring the best value to the customer with local experience and the proven automation approach from RBS.

In this implementation the customer benefited from the experience and the proven solution of RBS together with Konecranes which is already implemented on other terminals. The approach to control the equipment from the TOS and talk directly to the equipment control system, PTM can gain all the benefit of a true real-­time system with the fast and efficient decision taking and dispatching. This has been proven extremely important in automated terminals, so that the TOS can react fast on operational interruptions.

“The secret to getting ahead is to get started”

RBS is now introducing the never been achieved before – automation in the cloud. Over the years, we have worked diligently to deliver a holistic solution that not only expands the solution’s functionalities but facilitates terminals in developing greater capabilities to accomplish optimal levels of performance and output. We are offering you the only true cloud-based TOS in the market that can run automation and still achieve real-time control and planning. This state-of-the-art software is years ahead of its time and will propel your terminal to the forefront of the Container Handling Industry.

The automation module is integrated into our proven TOPS Expert Cloud solution to deliver success to your terminal. Success with RBS is a rendition of higher ROI, lower expenses, enhanced security, and most importantly achieving maximum operational efficiency in all areas. With this new solution, your terminal can leverage both the benefits of automation and the cloud.