PROJECTS
CLOUD BASED TOS A GREEN STEP CHANGE
Photo: LBCT
In this article GreenPort talks to Andy Barrons, chief strategy officer at Navis about how cloud based TOS is moving sustainability forward
Q
How is cloud-based TOS moving green projects forward?
Using cloud-based TOS at terminals has been able to move green projects forward in a number of ways. The TOS in the cloud has allowed terminals around the world to adopt software for more efficient container operations, while cutting IT infrastructure and servers on site. This has brought energy savings and efficiency by using more energy efficient data center solutions. The focus on sustainability in the industry has traditionally been on equipment - including energy efficiency, minimising unnecessary moves and reduction of fuel and the TOS in the cloud can enable container equipment to perform in an ecofriendlier way. The TOS plans the cargo moves by the equipment in the most efficient sequence, which can ensure operators move as much freight though the port with the least amount of moves and in the shortest distance available, resulting in a more sustainable and impactful operation. A further benefit of using a cloud-based TOS is that it collects an enormous amount of operational data which can be used to inform sustainable business decisions so meaningful work can be carried out at terminals. For example, data collected can include yard and quay crane usage and the number of vehicles needed to load and discharge a vessel. With this data a terminal can optimise allocation of equipment and can calculate other sustainable factors - like CO2 usage - through using the data stored in the TOS. Analysing and acting on this data will support port operations seeking to improve the sustainability impact of their operations and reduce operational cost and waste.
A
Can you outline the recent cloud survey Navis has completed? The cloud survey Navis completed in 2020, “Understanding A Your Terminal Strategy with Cloud-based Technologies,� examined operators' level of interest and activity in planning to use cloud-based TOS. The survey of Navis' global terminal operator customers explored the interest, anticipated benefits, myths and concerns for adopting SaaS technology at terminals. Over the past two years, we have seen a dramatic change in interest in cloud-based TOS and ports and terminals are
increasingly taking steps to adopt this technology. This is especially true in 2020 where we have seen market interest in cloud solutions increase nearly 40% compared to2019, and in part, influenced by the effects of Covid-19 on shifting work to home or remote locations.
The TOS in the cloud can enable container equipment to perform in an eco-friendlier way While acceptance of cloud-based TOS offerings was relatively low a few years ago, today terminals are more open to the possibilities that TOS in the cloud can deliver reliability and performance for their operations and save IT time and money. Can you explain the larger and smaller wins that Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) can give operators when it comes to the environment? Our customers report they experience an up to A 40%improvement in productivity and throughput by using an advanced TOS to optimise moves and automate processes. The use of machines to carry out work on site, along with the drastic business process improvement seen from optimising operations, has a great impact on our customers' bottom line and service capability. This has also left a positive impact on the environment as a result of streamlining workflows and reducing waste. Additionally, software acts as the brain of the terminal and enables operators to find solutions to continuously improve and carry out tasks in greener ways, which is a major win economically and environmentally. Data collected and tracked can help operators to measure and reduce truck idle time at the gate, have more
Q
8 Andy Barrons
Photo: Navis
Q
8 LBCT is the first fully-automated container terminal in the US and uses Navis TOS
14 | WINTER 2020/21
For the latest news and analysis go to www.greenport.com/news101
