PORTEL
This study reviews port related technologies and in particular:
• Efficient management of ships in and out of ports.
• Adaptation to the fast growth of vessel size and to the increasing requirements on safety, security and environment.
• Improved intermodality for a quick handling and distribution of goods and passengers in and out of ships and in and out of ports, with adaptation to the different cargo types and its unitization.
• Facilities for trade and logistic services which provide certain added value in ports, shifting from an intermodal approach to a logistic nodal approach.
• Short sea links and train connections in ports as a mean to decongest roads in Europe, thus leading to a sustainable transport system in Europe, under the umbrella of co-modality.
Cargo handling
The competitive world economy and the increasing performance expectations of customers lead to a demand for low cost, rapid and dependable shipping of cargo. The saturation of land usage in most ports together with the competitiveness for higher capacity and efficiency put pressure on port authorities and terminal operators to make existing port terminal facilities more efficient through the use of advanced technologies.
The development of efficient, automated, high-tech loading/unloading equipment and associated cargo handling and tracking technologies has the potential of considerably improving the performance of terminal operations. The commercial sector is driving these developments in an effort to improve competitiveness and provide additional services in operations associated with cargo handling.
The major categories of cargo handling technologies studied include storage and retrieval systems, equipment tracking technologies, specific ship-loading technologies, multiple trailer systems, container technologies, automated guided vehicles (AGV), linear motor conveyance systems, automated storage and retrieval multi-story systems (AS/RS). For each category we examine 3 key features: SCOPE – MARKET STATUS & TRENDS.
Port Telematics
The electronic services provided by a modern port organization are analysed through an exploratory research covering several ports. A methodology is proposed for identification, assessment and selection of individual Port Telematics e-services to be implemented by a contemporary and emergent port organization. A technological framework is also proposed that facilitates and improves the e-port service provision, in particular service expandability and interoperability.
Safety and security
Safety and security is a multitask and multi-agent activity that is usually supervised and controlled by in situ Authority following internationally agreed methodologies in order to add every private agent participating in the transport chain to fulfil a connected and common approach. In the case of cargo and passengers flow in a port, its authority establishes the support regulation and frequently the equipment to support its application. The various technologies used are systematically analysed.