The new Navis N4 system is the first time the port has utilised a single platform for all cargo handled at its terminals and is part of a USD142 million investment in equipment and infrastructure initiatives to keep competitive in the region. “We strive to be ahead of curve with technology advancements to foster continued success in the Port of Baltimore, adding to Maryland’s economy,” said Ports America Chesapeake Vice President Bayard Hogans. “Adopting a modern, streamlined TOS like N4 will provide stability and yield results as we push our capacity goals further and support sustainable growth of the port.” Hogans added that along with handling additional volume, the new system will increase velocity, efficiency, and safety – ensuring that Ports America Chesapeake remains one of most productive container operations on the East Coast. Container data transparency and efficiency tools are areas that PAC currently engages with internal and external partners and the new, state-of-the-art N4 TOS provides the ability to more aggressively pursue these types of cutting-edge initiatives. The upgraded system will optimise daily terminal tasks like container handling, vessel planning, yard utilisation, and crane scheduling and monitoring. Among other benefits, the platform will be used to track cargo throughout the terminal, optimising data visibility for partners and customers. This new TOS and other technology innovations provide improved efficiency, transparency, and productivity in Ports America’s network of terminals. The company has been in the process of standardising its core TOS platform as it has upgraded major facilities to N4 including PNCT, New Orleans and now PAC. N4 is the foundation for further integrated technologies that will enable key digital innovation for sharing data throughout the supply chain, allowing greater forecasting and management of cargo movements within and beyond the ports.
Metrans receives the first of ten new Vectron locomotives
The vehicle is part of an order of ten multi-system locomotives. They are being manufactured in the Siemens Mobility factory in Munich-Allach and will be delivered in full by spring 2020. Metrans will deploy the new Vectron locomotives in trans-national freight traffic across Central and Eastern Europe. “We are very happy to have received the first of ten Vectron locomotives from Siemens Mobility at our location in Prague. The expansion of our locomotive fleet to nearly 100 vehicles highlights our commitment to grow with the transport flows of the future. The flexibility of the Vectron locomotives makes it possible for us to deliver on our promises to customers even faster and more reliably,” said Martin Horinek, Chief Operational Officer of the Metrans Group, on the vehicle’s arrival. “We are delighted to be handing over this Vectron locomotive to Metrans exactly on schedule. However, our work does not end with the production and handover of the locomotive. We see the reliability of vehicles in their daily operations as an essential condition for our customers’ satisfaction. We offer the availability of spare parts with guaranteed delivery within 24 hours and an experienced local service team. That is why we appreciate Metrans’s decision to cooperate closely with us on the maintenance of the progressively supplied locomotives,” said Roman Kokšal, CEO of Siemens Mobility Czech Republic, in Prague. The new locomotives for Metrans reach a maximum output of 6.4 MW and a top speed of 160 km/h. They are also set up with the required national train control system as well as the European Train Control System (ETCS). The locomotives are allowed to operate in Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Future upgrades for operation in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Netherlands, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia are also possible.
Unique digital solution makes the Port of Gothenburg smarter
The ultimate outcome is more rapid and more efficient handling of goods. The Port of Gothenburg Energy Port is the largest open access energy terminal in Sweden, handling more than 20 million tonnes of energy products annually. The 24 berths at the Energy Port can receive up to 2,500 vessels each year. On land, the same number of vehicles pass through the gates of the Energy Port every day. “We operate in a high-intensity environment where safety is our first priority. Still, we need to handle large freight volumes and traffic flows quickly and efficiently. With smart automation and digitised processes, it is easier to solve that equation,” said Dan-Erik Andersson, Chief Operating Officer at the Gothenburg Port Authority Energy Port. The most recent in a series of digital solutions is the launch of the unique data system Permesso, which was designed and developed in-house. The system allows work permits to be issued online and for planned and ongoing maintenance and development at the Energy Port to be coordinated digitally. According to Carl Jansson, Safety and Security Coordinator at Gothenburg Port Authority, around 70 projects are in progress in various parts of the Energy Port on any given day. “It is vitally important that we have a clear overview of what’s going on. We can now simplify the issuing of permits to cover all the work that is being carried out on behalf of different customers and involving a large number of contractors.” The company or unit that is scheduled to carry out the work can now obtain a permit online instead of going all the way down to the Energy Port and dealing with the paperwork manually. Port Authority staff can approve a permit or request additional information directly on screen. “Previously, it could take up to half a day to gather all the signatures. Now it takes just a couple of minutes. The new system saves an incredible amount of time and effort for customers, contractors, and not least for us,” said Emily Andersson, IT Project Leader at Gothenburg Port Authority. When a permit is registered in the system, a symbol appears on a digital map of the Energy Port. Using the map, it is possible to maintain an overview of all the work that is being done and identify obstacles or risks to other operations or projects that are taking place in the vicinity. It is possible, for example, to coordinate hot work with the pumping of energy products without compromising onsafety. In the event of an accident, the system can send the relevant coordinates directly to the emergency services, ensuring they know exactly where to go even if no one from the scene of the accident is on hand to guide them. Permesso is the fourth in a series of digitisation and automation projects that have been launched in various parts of the Energy Port within a short period. In the last year alone, the Port’s pipeline management system has undergone extensive automation, ‘alco-barrier’ checkpoints have been established, and an app has been developed to make it easier for vessels to bunker at the quayside. “We are constantly searching for ways to eliminate any unnecessary steps in the process and improve safety. Once we have achieved this, we can focus on our core operations, creating optimum conditions for rapid, efficient handling of goods at the Energy Port,” said Dan-Erik Andersson.
New state-of-the-art building and improved operative area for Stockholm’s important RoRo traffic
This will enable more efficient cargo management, facilitate the forwarding of rolling goods, and will make things easier for haulage vehicle drivers. “Viking Line is one of our most long-term and largest customers. It is extremely gratifying to have the possibility to improve our mutual product and jointly work to make operations more efficient,” says Johan Wallén, Sales and Marketing Manager at Ports of Stockholm. Together with Viking Line, Ports of Stockholm has invested in new storage and parking areas and a state-of-the-art building that has been purpose-built for the complex logistics of this business area. The result is more efficient cargo management and an optimal traffic flow at the port for haulage vehicle drivers and the management of trailers. “Our collaborations with Ports of Stockholm work very well and we are very pleased to be able to provide our customers with a significantly improved service. The personnel have also gained a very nice and pleasant workplace,” says Anne Staf, Viking Line Terminal Manager. The new cargo expedition building is ready for use and will replace the previous Viking Line cargo building, which will be removed to give more storage and parking space for rolling goods, trucks and haulage vehicles. The building has robust walls and ceilings for sound-insulation from the noise of the port traffic and to create a good working environment for the personnel. Large glass expanses give the personnel a good overview of operations at the port. Ports of Stockholm is Sweden’s third-largest freight port. Annually 9.6 million tonnes of goods are transported via Ports of Stockholm’s ports, 7.2 tonnes of which are transported using RoRo services. This makes Ports of Stockholm one of the ports handling the most RoRo units nationwide.