Agri-Product Play

As cranes become more technically complex, the modernisation and upgrading of ‘‘ computer components will become more common...

increases, as it will be able to service higher and/or wider vessels, adding value to the terminal’s operations and facilitating a strong return on investment (ROI).

Overall, there is a fairly wide range of options customers can select from when pursuing crane upgrade or refurbishment.

O’Donoghue says that these depend on the values/ benefits the customer wants from the crane post upgrade. Typical options include: reduction in energy consumption; ability to handle larger vessels, increased automation features or the adoption of modern supportive HMI/CMS systems. “With Liebherr Transform, our customers benefit from making their cranes faster, smarter, stronger, greener and ultimately better,” he says.

Liebherr’s recent projects include increasing the lift height and outreach of an STS crane at Patrick Terminals, Brisbane facility. It has also extended the outreach of Liebherr STS cranes in the ports of Southampton and Helsinki. At Luka Koper, Slovenia, Liebherr will fit additional checkers cabins, platforms and lift landings to its cranes.

Paceco has undertaken some notable STS crane refurbishments. These include work on three MGM Cranes at the Matson Terminal, Sand Island, Hawaii. The work included converting the existing 2.4 kV bus bar system to a new 11.5 kV cable reel system to power the cranes; replacing all 2.4 kV electrical components with 11.5 kV elements and integrating a new VFD and cable reel system into the existing ABB control system.

At the ITS Terminal Long Beach, USA, Paceco undertook ‘giraffing’ and boom extension work on three MES-M cranes. Height was raised by 25 ft 4in and crane outreach increased by 2ft 6 inches with this accomplished by solutions like the installation of a jacking tower with a jacking system applied to the crane and new leg extensions fitted.

THREE KEY CATALYSTS

There are three main catalysts driving crane upgrades/ refurbishments.

The sustainable use of resources is a big factor. “It is a very attractive option for terminals looking to do more with what they have and make a positive impact on both their carbon footprint and their bottom line,” says Martinez. Similarly, O’Donoghue notes: “We see a big drive towards greener cranes and the ability to reduce port carbon emissions.

Responding to larger vessel deployments also continues to be important, although there has been considerable work already undertaken in this area. As O’Donoghue notes: “With ships becoming larger the ability to increase the size of serving STS cranes - height/outreach etc – is critical for ports to maintain their competitive advantages.”

As an example, crane builder ZPMC increased the height of three STS cranes at Hutchison Ports’ Barcelona Europe South Terminal (BEST) by five metres. The process was completed in just five weeks, causing minimum disruption to operations. Likewise, four cranes at PSA Belgium were raised in height, with work also carried out in accordance with a tight schedule.

Advances in digital and data technology are also encouraging crane refurbishments. Italian Terminal Darsena Toscana has installed Orbita technology in six of its cranes as a means of using the latest AI technology to enhance operational processes. Orbita’s CraneCCR system was installed as a means of controlling the crane and to constantly monitor the spreader and identify the crane’s various movements. CraneCCR has been specially adapted to optimise the conditions of image captures, offering detailed visuals of important aspects of container handling, including ID numbers and ISO codes.

Twenty one cranes at Panama’s Manzanillo International Terminal will be augmented with ABB’s Optical Character Recognition Systems to enable automated container information handling. Vital container data can reach a Terminal Operating System in close to real time. The system includes software that can identify container numbers, with a camera system detecting door direction, bolt seals, and hazardous material labels.

“As cranes become more technically complex, the modernisation and upgrading of computer components will become more common. This will become a built-in replacement cycle that ensures the crane, while retaining its existing steel structures and mechanical components, remains as connected and “smart” as any rolling off the factory floor,” says Martinez.

“The world has also become digital with data-based decisions becoming the norm,” concludes O’Donoghue. “Retrofitting a modern PLC, HMI, or CMS to older cranes allows ports to use data to make informed, operational decisions.”

8 With its patented

STS lift height extension system, Liebherr states it can increase the lift height of a crane in 4-6 weeks

Source: ZPMC/PSA Belgium 8 Four cranes at

PSA Belgium have been given extra height by ZPMC – a common response to facilitating serving larger vessels

VTMS: BREAKING NEW GROUND

Vessel Traffic Management Systems are employing ground-breaking new generation technologies help ports better manage vessel traffic. John Bensalhia investigates

The vessel traffic management market is burgeoning. A report from ResearchAndMarkets.com says that the Global Vessel Traffic Management Market will grow from US$ 5.8 billion in 2022 to US$ 8.7 billion in 2027, at a CAGR of 8.4 per cent.

The report claims that increasing numbers of ports are using VTMS as a means of boosting efficiency and reliability, thus driving growth.

Activity at an industry level supports this view.

“The awareness is increasing that to ensure safe waters, you need more than binoculars and a radio,” says Huub van Roosmalen, Director Business Development, Saab Maritime Traffic Management. “With congestion in ports,” he elaborates, “the problem is not necessarily the ships themselves, but the containers on shore. Often, they are in the wrong place in the world, taking up space that is needed for other containers and impacting the planning of port calls.”

Efficiency is driven by managing congestion at sea, with fishing, wind farms and commercial shipping often competing for the same space. VTMS is essential to regulate this and with a similar level of challenge the approach to port facilities. “Other big market drivers,” notes Roosmalen, “are decarbonisation, Just In Time (JIT) operations, the need for better predictability in port operations and working around the lack of space that some ports experience. This forces them to efficiently use the space available; the quays, yard areas and of course access channels some of which are tide restricted. Autonomous shipping is also a market driver in terms of R&D.”

Having been active in the VTMS sector for over 30 years, Saab handles different types of contracts, with its systems in use in both large and smaller ports.

“We have been awarded several contracts in the last couple of years,” says van Roosmalen. “Recent ones that stand out are the Port of Tallinn, Estonia, Port of Shanghai, China, Port of Dampier, Australia, Port of Suva, Fiji and Port of Victoria. The contracts in Australia and Fiji have been won together with AMS Group with whom we have partnered.

Founded in 2013, Horizonte AS has been active in the VTMS market from its early days. “The most important delivery we’ve had is the River Information System (RIS) for the Danube section in Hungary, considered to be one of the largest RIS in Europe, with over 100 sensors including AIS, radar, VHF, water level meters, visibility and meteorological sensors” explains Roberto Gonzalez, Founder & Managing Director, Horizonte AS.

“We are currently engaged in new VTS project delivery and plan to continue in VTMS for rivers, ports and coastal applications,” he adds.

One of the “world’s most advanced ocean space surveillance and VTMS systems,” as described by Håvard Odden, Vissim’s Senior Vice President for Maritime Awareness, has recently been developed. International energy company, Equinor contracted Norwegian tech company Vissim to produce a surveillance and marine co-ordination system that manages operational requirements and efficiency aims in the offshore energy field.

The new system includes subsea infrastructure monitoring, marine planning through weather forecasts and real-time monitoring and 3D situational awareness. Other elements include environmental surveillance, predictions of vessel routes, plus clear communication between control rooms, vessels and offshore workers.

8 Horizonte

has worked on maximising simplicity of operation in the Control Centre

REMOTE WORKING

Installation of remote sensor sites has been beneficial to reduce costs, as well as usage of COTS, low energy consumption sensors, implementation of solar panels and other innovative ways to keep energy consumption low. “There is a wide variety of sensors and options available to reduce prices, but civil works and maintenance works and requests for 24 x 7 support, keep prices up” says Gonzalez. “Additionally, the scarcity of software developers and the man hours that are required to keep the implementation of new functionalities, continue research and development or to maintain systems have increased over time,” he elaborates.

Saab is implementing VTS within a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, a cloud-based solution. “This,” the company points out, “has important implications for the cost model for the customer. It facilitates shifting from capital expenditure (CAPEX), i.e: large, one-time investments, to operational expenditure (OPEX) with a pay-as-you-go model. It reduces the hurdle of financing system investments, making VTS systems available to a larger market. Also, web-based user interfaces make deployment much faster and easier.”

Similarly, to enhance VTMS’ core surveillance and management features, Horizonte AS has made the use of VTMS intuitive with simplified functionality. “This is really important,” the company underlines and underlines, “It is about not offering too much functionality but instead the right functionality.”

“We have worked a lot on our software Aquacore, and a Graphical Use Interface (GUI) that is easy to use and operate, and which requires less time to train operators and