Ports are naturally keen to promote the range and reliability of their connections, usually referring to the physical shipping services they handle. But in today\u2019s increasingly complex, high-pressure, digitalised, carbon-conscious world, there is another kind of connectivity to consider \u2013 the emergence and optimisation of connected technologies.<\/p>\n
While new technology is, of course, an accepted virtue these days, ports need to educate themselves on all the options available and pay attention to the entire package together with the individual detail. Applied intelligently, connected technologies can deliver huge efficiencies, cut costs, increase safety and push down emissions. They can also create new opportunities and even generate income streams.<\/p>\n
To say that ports are facing major challenges is stating the obvious. Environmental pressures have never been so high, with tough new emissions regulations to meet, alongside the need in any case to keep the local community \u2018on side\u2019 by minimising noise, smells, pollution and other disturbances.<\/p>\n
MATCHING AMBITIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n Supply chains and logistics solutions continue to become increasingly sophisticated \u2013 they rely on ports and terminals to match their ambitions. The urgent need to reduce emissions is despite the fact that ports are handling ever-increasing volumes of cargo. Trade volumes may have slowed initially during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there will soon be a rebound and a return to growth.<\/p>\n Digitalisation is gathering pace \u2013 in mid-2020, port and shipping industry partners launched a joint \u2018call to action\u2019 to accelerate the pace of digitalisation to cope with a post COVID-19 \u2018new normal\u2019. The World Trade Organization\u2019s Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), which entered into force four years ago, has called for the streamlining and simplification of trade procedures and processes, with the emphasis on IT and the elimination of paper. However, this cannot happen without reliable wi-fi and power.<\/p>\n SMART PORT AND CONNECTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n Then we have the \u201cInternet of Things\u201d. A smart port is all about connections and the exchange of data \u2013 between equipment, infrastructure and people, to ease bottlenecks, predict congestion, improve efficiency, plan berthing, predict maintenance needs and optimise cargo flows. Consequently, connectivity has never been more vital.<\/p>\n Often the \u2018understanding\u2019 is that any \u2018green\u2019 moves must be made despite the commercial pressures, separated entirely from the need for efficient, swift and cost-effective services. That is a misunderstanding; all of these factors are connected. The right technology should unlock huge potential and create smart, responsive, low-carbon, lower cost port operations.<\/p>\n Perhaps the best place to start is with the ability to create a digital twin. Mapping the entire port operation helps to understand cargo flows, work out how and why operations are running the way they are, predict how they might change in the future, and optimise the way in which power and integrated technologies could drive the operations of the future.<\/p>\n All of this can be achieved, risk-free, before any investment in physical assets or equipment. Digital simulation of port operations can provide an ideal platform, either reducing CO2 by optimising individual energy sources, or making the logistical processes more efficient (fewer, shorter movements of containers). Siemens plant simulation and discrete event simulation software is ideally suited for this application, with many successful ports-projects over the past two decades.<\/p>\n UNLOCKING THE REAL MASS OF DATA<\/strong><\/p>\n There is plenty of talk about the mass of data generated by ports and terminals \u2013 but what is the point of that, if its value is never unlocked? Feeding real data from existing cranes into a simulated digital copy provides a \u2018try before you buy\u2019 opportunity to test cranes and software risk-free in all conditions, to pinpoint the best solutions and productivity options before taking the investment leap.<\/p>\n Bringing together the \u2018real\u2019 and the \u2018virtual\u2019 allows \u2018virtual commissioning\u2019, so that it is possible to explore and simulate what can be done, identify any errors and problems, and make sure the entire system works in the way you want, before the real thing. In parallel, a full training simulator can enable operators to gain experience in the virtual world, training for routine and also emergency situations so they are well prepared in advance.<\/p>\n Automation and digitalisation are key to swift, safe, smooth cargo flows of some of the world\u2019s busiest container terminals. At the Port of Singapore\u2019s newest terminal, Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT), 56 stacking cranes are handling containers without any physical human intervention. Moreover, remote controls allow one operator to handle up to six cranes.<\/p>\n Siemens worked with crane manufacturer ZPMC to engineer and commission the electrical and automation systems, which have provided benefits in productivity, safety and cost per move. The yard cranes automatically move more than 30 containers per hour and the person controlling the equipment only has to intervene in exceptional situations. Again, connections are vital.<\/p>\n THE BIG PUSH<\/strong><\/p>\n On a global basis there is a big push for ships to \u2018plug in\u2019 to shore power to reduce noise, vibrations and emissions from vessels\u2019 engines running in port, a mass shift away from diesel and towards electrification of equipment, vehicles and workboats. It sounds simple \u2013 but where is the power coming from?<\/p>\n There are numerous questions here. When multiple giant container cranes swing into action, is the grid capable of providing the huge peak in power required? When the yard\u2019s shuttle carriers need plugging in, is the power available? What is this going to cost? Is the whole operation making the best and most cost-effective use of the power available? If the power drawn is being generated by fossil fuel at a power station miles away, is the whole effort merely shifting the carbon footprint elsewhere?<\/p>\n There are several relevant aspects to answer these question – the need for resilience and security of power supply, with certainty over costs, and the drive for more green power. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made clear the vital role that ports play in keeping populations supplied with the food, fuel, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and other items they need. Losing power and stopping operations just is not an option.<\/p>\n Siemens\u2019 Totally Integrated Power (TIP) is designed to help port bodies exploit their full energy efficiency potential \u2013 on an eco-friendly basis, too. It is known that many ports are developing as important support hubs for the construction, operation and maintenance of renewable power projects, particularly offshore wind farms.<\/p>\n This requires investment in infrastructure to bring that power ashore and to where it is needed; it also requires new skills and is providing exciting new career opportunities. At the same time, ports are installing their own \u2018green\u2019 power sources, from onshore wind turbines to solar panelling.<\/p>\n An integrated approach \u2013 from planning and installation to services \u2013 helps ports and harbours exploit their full energy efficiency potential.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lynsey Jeffers, Smart Infrastructure Sector Lead \u2013 Ports UK, Siemens, explains how anintegrated approach to planning, installation and service can help ports exploit theirfull energy efficiency potential.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"sponsor":[],"class_list":["post-1357","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-terminal-operations"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1357","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1357"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1357\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1357"},{"taxonomy":"sponsor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/coastlink\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sponsor?post=1357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}