Digital Transformation of Port Terminals

The volatility of global markets, changes in transportation routes, and the increase in vessel size pose a challenge for terminal operators, who must adjust to dynamic volumes and increases in container traffic.

Supply chains demand faster response times, as well as better coordination between truck operators, railroads, and terminals.

With all this additional pressure on berth, truck, and rail operations, there is a growing need for digital or "Industry 4.0" technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). These will play an increasingly important role in addressing these challenges, partly because they will enable terminal automation, which in turn will provide greater flexibility and savings in operational costs.

Fortunately, today it is possible to simplify the digital transformation of terminal operations by consolidating many of these digital applications into a single secure wireless network, which will lay the foundation for greater automation and a significant increase in productivity.

Current LTE technology and the new 5G technology have the features and capabilities needed to meet the requirements of many terminal applications and use cases. In addition to reducing the operational and capital costs associated with purchasing, installing, and operating multiple networks, consolidation into a single network technology will also reduce complexity and increase the reliability and security of terminal communications.

What is the current situation of port terminals and how can a private LTE network help them?

In recent decades, most terminals have deployed various wireless network technologies. These applications include professional mobile radio based on TETRA or P25, wireless technologies to support machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, low-power wide-area networks (LPWA), IoT, and transponder networks for automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

Although most of these wireless technologies have specific applications for wireless data communications and, in particular, for supporting the terminal operating system (TOS), most port terminals today have implemented Wi-Fi. An LTE service from a mobile network operator, such as the one provided by Nokia, can be leveraged as an alternative for general wireless data communications.

Consequently, a port terminal may host five or even more distinct wireless networks. This fragmentation of wireless systems would be simplified with current LTE technology, as it would function as a converged platform for mission-critical voice, data, and video services. In addition to mobile broadband, the latest version of LTE has also implemented NB-IoT and LTE-M to support M2M communications, IoT sensors, and other low-power devices.

Consolidation into a single wireless network will not only expand the use cases of current terminal operations but will also enable next-generation applications. Unlike public LTE services from mobile network operators designed to serve the masses, an LTE network in a port terminal is deployed privately for the exclusive use of the terminal operator. It is tailored to meet specific use cases and coverage requirements.

Terminal operations cannot afford communication interruptions while container handling machinery moves across the site and traverses a constantly changing topography. The inherent mobility of terminal activities, radio reflections caused by the metallic surface of containers, and interference from neighboring wireless networks pose a challenge for existing wireless systems (such as Wi-Fi) in terms of reliability and predictability.

So, what are the advantages of private LTE networks?

Unified, scalable wireless networks Unified, scalable wireless networks
A network prepared for future technological developments A network prepared for future technological developments
Up to 800 connections per AP. Up to 800 connections per AP.
Effective interference management. Effective interference management.
Reliability (QoS) and security. Reliability (QoS) and security.
Service prioritization, for example, data over voice. Service prioritization, for example, data over voice.
High capacity and high-speed mobility for autonomous vehicles. High capacity and high-speed mobility for autonomous vehicles.
Greater operational efficiency through improved loading performance. Greater operational efficiency through improved loading performance.

What are the main economic benefits?

Reduction of TCO for voice communications by unifying PTT and automations. Reduction of TCO for voice communications by unifying PTT and automations.
For an average operation, more than 80,000 additional containers per year, due to improved operational efficiency by sending digital instructions to the operation. For an average operation, more than 80,000 additional containers per year, due to improved operational efficiency by sending digital instructions to the operation.
By semi-automating container operations, at least a 7% increase in productivity. By semi-automating container operations, at least a 7% increase in productivity.