Process and Equipment Automation for Container Terminals

This paper provides guidance to engineers and port management on process and equipment automation on container terminals. Process automation will be limited to automatic data capture and equipment tracking on terminal. Two types of information are provided, foundation knowledge and a guide to innovation. Foundation knowledge includes a review of historical development milestones, automation options for terminals today, and a qualitative table of market penetration by option. The guide to innovation includes a discussion of relevant technology boundaries, and where there is more flexibility for innovation. For example, it does not make sense to copy another successful terminal's technology where that technology is rapidly evolving. Relevant "Greenfield" and retrofit case studies will provide a context for the details. This paper will argue that proper planning for technology will lead to fewer change orders during design and construction, and faster overall project delivery. Process and equipment technology is now the perhaps the most influential driver of site layout for ports. Therefore port managers, engineers and terminal operators need a context for technology opportunities and limitations in the early stages of design.