Cargotec enters the AGV fray

Given the sensitivities, Port Strategy asked Cargotec how comfortable it was working alongside major global rival, ZPMC in this project. In response, Jorma Tirkkonen, Cargotec’s senior vice president, Automation said that the scope and role of each partner in the project has been clearly defined. “So, in that respect, we are as comfortable as one can be working with a rival company. As this is, to a large extent, a pilot project, we expect that there will be changes and discussions regarding the scope and role of various partners as the project goes forward,” he says.

Cargotec’s competence in fleet management systems has come from a number of sources. Its AutoStrad system has produced good results since entering service in Brisbane in 2005 and has subsequently been adopted by Port Botany, too. In addition, the company delivered highly customised control and automation systems to Germany’s largest container terminal, the Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB) in the Port of Hamburg.

It has also won a contract to supply ten automatic stacking cranes and 17 customer-specific automatic horizontal transportation vehicles to TraPac in Los Angeles. Similar cranes will be delivered to DP World’s Brisbane terminal expansion.

That said, Mr Tirkkonen concedes that there are few working AGV systems currently in operation globally, which he attributes to the challenge in getting the system – including various components and equipment – working together and optimised to reach the targets set. It does not just depend on individual hardware, he says.

While container terminals have been noticeably shy in introducing AGVs, other sectors have not. However, Mr Tirkkonen notes that there are a number of automated or semi-automated container yards operating globally. “The challenge is that all of them have taken a number of years to become fully operational. When compared with manually operated terminals, they have to at least produce the same levels of efficiency.

“Furthermore, we are talking about such large investments that operators need to be sure that the technology works prior to commitment. This means that it takes time and requires some individuals or companies to drive the development before it becomes widely accepted,” he adds.

In respect of why there now appears to be a resurgence of interest in this technology, he suggests that the cost and availability of labour appear to be two of the main drivers, while safety and security issues have also come to the fore.

“In addition, environmental issues and total cost ownership have started to play an important role, too. As the technology has become more reliable and hardware costs fallen, interest in this solution has increased,” he says.