FEATURE | NORTH AMERICA PORTS


DAWN OF A NEW AGE


With the increase in the size of container ships worldwide, the push for automation across North America’s ports is gaining momentum. Tom Peters investigates.


step-by-step mode. By the end of 2020 it was reported there


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were approximately 50 automated or semi- automated container terminals globally. The United States reportedly had four but that number was expected to grow slightly. With the increase in the size of container ships the world has been seeing in recent years, including several new vessels now surpassing 24,000 TEUs (20 foot equivalent units), it would seem the push for automation in North America would


he move toward automation at North American marine container ports is not progressing at a rapid rate, it appears to be in a slower,


be gaining stronger momentum. Afterall, automation is being touted as the route to higher efficiency and safety when it comes to moving the ever-increasing number of containers over North American terminals. Other countries are already moving quickly in the automated direction. For example, in September last year,


presidents, CIOs (Chief Information Officers), and head strategists of 15 of the world’s leading ports convened digitally for the seventh annual chainPort meeting where automation was front and centre. At the conference the participants not


only exchanged professional advice but hands-on knowledge, which included


intellectual insights and practical experience on new technologies that drive efficiency in daily port operations, solutions from the maritime sector, on how to strengthen supply chain resilience, and circular economy-related approaches to sustainability in ports. Huang Heng, MD, Port Technology,


Nezha Shipping, introduced a pioneering project about optical networking technology for centralized remote control in ports.


This endeavour, in the operation of


next-generation smart ports, has been implemented in partnership with Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) and Huawei.


R chainPORT Group meets virtually for its 7th annual event 14 | March 2022 | Dockside Lift & Move Supplement


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