Pasir Panjang Terminal, Singapore tests automated cranes
Automated cranes and vehicles are being tried at the Pasir Panjang Terminal in Singapore. Their aim is to boost productivity, improving Singapore's status as a port hub. However, Singapore remains at the top of the International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index for the fifth consecutive year.
Automated cranes and vehicles are being tried at the Pasir Panjang Terminal in Singapore. Their aim is to boost productivity, improving Singapore's status as a port hub. However, Singapore remains at the top of the International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index for the fifth consecutive year.
The new cranes will be automatic, however workers will control them through a joystick to load and unload containers on vessels and vehicles. Nevertheless, attempts are being made to make the entire process automated.
The crane operators will be seeing live CCTV footage to move the containers, while based in an operations centre. In order for the operators to be ready for the new cranes, 40 crane operators have been trained since 2016, according to local media.
In addition the cranes will be used alongside automated guided vehicles, which will transport containers between the quayside and the container yard.
In total, PSA Singapore has three automated quay cranes and 30 of automated vehicles.
These systems are expected to increase the productivity of the terminal, as an existing automated yard system has already increased it by 20-25%.
The automated cranes will also be used at the Tuas mega port when it opens its first phase in 2021. When fully completed in 2040, the port will be the largest container terminal in the world.
Singapore is considered as the top world's shipping centre for the fifth year in a row, followed by Hong Kong, London, Shanghai and Dubai. The outcome is based on the International Shipping Centre Development Index (ISCD) issued by Baltic Exchange and Xinhua news agency.
