Auckland to deploy automated straddle carriers to operate container yard
WORK is to commence shortly at Ports of Auckland on a three-year project to partially automate its container terminal by deploying driverless straddle carriers to load and unload trucks and operate the container yard.
Manually driven straddle carriers will continue to operate between the yard and ship-to-shore cranes, reported Wellington-based Voxy news service.
"This is a game changer for us," said Auckland port CEO Tony Gibson. "We need more container terminal capacity but we can't expand through reclamation, so we have to go up. Automation allows us to do that safely and efficiently.
"This stage of automation will increase our terminal capacity from just over 900,000 TEU a year to 1.6-1.7 million TEU annually. That is enough to support an Auckland population of around 2.7 million. In other words, this technology gives us an additional 30-40 years of capacity," Mr Gibson said.
"Automation will also help us operate sustainably. Automated straddle carriers will use up to 10 per cent less fuel, reducing our carbon footprint. They need less light and operate more quietly, reducing our impact on neighbouring communities. And they will lower our costs, making our operation more competitive and sustainable long-term."
WORK is to commence shortly at Ports of Auckland on a three-year project to partially automate its container terminal by deploying driverless straddle carriers to load and unload trucks and operate the container yard.
Manually driven straddle carriers will continue to operate between the yard and ship-to-shore cranes, reported Wellington-based Voxy news service.
"This is a game changer for us," said Auckland port CEO Tony Gibson. "We need more container terminal capacity but we can't expand through reclamation, so we have to go up. Automation allows us to do that safely and efficiently.
"This stage of automation will increase our terminal capacity from just over 900,000 TEU a year to 1.6-1.7 million TEU annually. That is enough to support an Auckland population of around 2.7 million. In other words, this technology gives us an additional 30-40 years of capacity," Mr Gibson said.
"Automation will also help us operate sustainably. Automated straddle carriers will use up to 10 per cent less fuel, reducing our carbon footprint. They need less light and operate more quietly, reducing our impact on neighbouring communities. And they will lower our costs, making our operation more competitive and sustainable long-term."