Security scanning in Colombia

For example, Grup TCB has put in an automated gate OCR system installed at Buenaventura Terminal in Colombia – a country where high security is paramount.

Matt Ramsay, director of business development at system provider APS Technology Group said to Port Strategy: “The OCR technology enables the operator to scan the containers and also to store the images documenting a record of every container that is handled.”

APS has also been working hard on the US megaports initiative – which is aimed at fighting terrorism and preventing the illegal transport of nuclear and radioactive materials by installing detection systems in 100 relevant ports. For its part, APS has installed gate OCR at 11 of the 30-40 ports that have participated in the initiative so far.

Although the initiative offers no direct benefit to operators, APS highlight that it is benefitting participants commercially by giving them the kudos of being a “secure freight facility.”

But it’s not just gate OCR that APS is focusing on – the group is seeing an influx in orders for crane OCR more recently.

Mr Ramsay added: “Operators are becoming more comfortable with the technology because gate OCR is now far more widespread – to put it bluntly, operators tested the technology on the gates first and are now looking at equipment.”

“Applying OCR technology to every aspect of operation gives a consistent and complete security and safety package to operators.”