Boosting efficiency of split marine container terminals by innovative technology

Abstract

A research project launched in the US resulted in a proposal to split container ports into an "efficient marine terminal" part ashore and an "intermodal interface center" inland, both connected by a dedicated ailway line. Driven by German Railways DB's desire to concentrate container flows by introducing a hub and spoke production system, Noell Crane Systems developed a container handling technology that allows for the transhipment of containers between freight trains instead of shunting wagons in 1995. Thus reducing the dwell time of the wagons by 75%. Featuring a highly efficient box mover for the sorting of containers prior to loading them on to the trains, this MegaHub, as it is called, is exactly the technology required for the "Intermodal Interface Center". As for the "efficient marine terminal", Noell is proposing a technology featuring the allocation of rail-mounted gantry cranes spanning rail tracks used in conjunction with a box mover directly under the quay cranes. This enables the containers to be transhipped between vessel and freight trains without the need to start moving the quay cranes along the vessel for positioning purposes. An advantage of this concept is that yard transfer vehicles are not required, saving a great deal of machinery and labour.