APMT AARHUS AUTOMATED STRADDLE PILOT PROJECT

Chinese state owned manufacturer, ZPMC, and APM Terminals Aarhus are testing and developing a new straddle unit at the facility in Denmark, before similar straddles are then built for use at other APM Terminals around the world.

Dennis Lenthe Olesen, Managing Director, APM Terminals Nordic, notes:

“We are extending our collaboration around intelligent port technology, which is great. Automation will bring a lot of value and great potential because it enables us to deliver consistent service to our customers and to be more efficient and safe. There is a drive to utilise technology to future-proof our development and to enable us to provide world-class operational efficiency, today and for the future.”Dan Iversen, Operations Deployment Lead at APM Terminals Aarhus, further notes: “Right now, we are testing the straddle carrier in a small, enclosed area. Test results are analysed and evaluated regularly to optimise the technology to fit our operation.

”Despite the move towards automated operations, APM Terminals Aarhus is also sticking with traditional straddle units. The terminal has taken delivery of six new units, taking the total number of straddle carriers currently in operation to 36.

The move follows the introduction, last year, of 180 new reefer plugs to keep pace with refrigerated demand. Reefer volumes were up by seven percent in 2021.