Singapore announces order for 22 AGVs

All the machines have been ordered as part of PSA’s “continued efforts in testing and developing advanced port technologies”, and they will join the eight hybrid AGVs PSA is currently testing at its Pasir Panjang terminal.

“Emphasising PSA’s commitment to sustainable business and green port technologies, the new AGVs will be battery-powered for zero-emission operations in the port area. Utilising state-of-the-art navigation systems, these AGVs will be seamlessly integrated with the existing AGV system as part of on-going initiatives to develop port technology solutions for the future automated Tuas Terminal,” PSA stated.

Battery systems for all 22 machines will be supplied by Microvast Power Systems, a US company headquartered in Texas with manufacturing facilities in China, while Singapore-based New Resource Technology will supply three automated DC charging stations. The new machines are expected to be delivered in Q2 2017. 

The 22 new machines will bring PSA’s test fleet to 30 AGVs - from five different suppliers: Cargotec (including the machines ordered jointly from Cargotec and ST Kinetics), VDL, ZPMC, Gaussin and Toyota. The order is the first for Gaussin’s AIV design, and the second for Toyota, following the 33 diesel electric AGVs that have been operating at Tobishima Container Berth in Nagoya, Japan since 2008. 

PSA has actually tested two other different brand AGVs, Kamag and MES, over 10 years ago when it first considered automating the horizontal transport under the new overhead bridge crane system at Pasir Panjang. That project never went ahead, but PSA is revisiting AGVs for its new Tuas mega port development. It is notable that PSA has bought from virtually every company offering AGVs for container terminal applications, except the world’s leading supplier, Terex Gottwald.