The 27 new straddles, to be delivered by mid-2019, will be fully automated NSC 644 E (1-over-3) machines, and will handle the yard stacks and road trucks, while 21 existing (1-over 2) manned machines will be adapted to hand containers off to the automated equipment.

The contract also includes “all sub-systems and software systems required for operation”. These include the TEAMS fleet management (equipment control) system initially developed by TBA, a Terex group company, and, drawing on Terex’s Gottwald pedigree, the Navimatic terrestrial navigation system. Both have “now been adapted to the specific requirements of straddle carriers to control the automated operations in Auckland”, stated TPS. Auckland runs the N4 TOS from Cargotec group company, Navis.

Commenting on the order, Klaus Peter Hoffmann, vice president and managing director of TPS, said: “Against the backdrop of increasing demand, several years ago we started a comprehensive research and development programme, in the course of which we created automation technology for both Terex straddle carriers and Terex sprinter carriers. We tested this over many months on prototypes at our testing grounds near the TPS competence centre for  straddle carriers in Würzburg, Germany, where we looked at design and operating principles, the control system, and the features of the positioning system. Our technology is now ready for market and has impressed POAL.”

Auckland’s project is an important chapter in straddle carrier automation, particularly as other terminals in Australia and New Zealand are known to be considering straddle carrier automation, but have concerns about the vessel productivity being achieved at the AutoStrad terminals in Brisbane and Sydney. This was also a factor in Auckland’s decision to stick with manned machines for the quay-to-stack transfer, to “maintain its currently high levels of  productivity”.

Other terminals will likely want to see how Auckland manages the transition, but Hoffmann is confident the project will be a springboard for TPS: “With this reference installation, we believe that we are perfectly positioned to convert more existing manual terminals into semi or fully automated terminals, and to equip greenfield port facilities.” 

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This complete item is approximately 300 words in length, and appeared in the November 2016 issue of WorldCargo News, on page 1. To access this issue download the PDF here.