Following our earlier report on another two ZPMC automated straddle carriers leaving Shanghai for Aarhus, Denmark, APM Terminals has provided some further details of its pilot project at the terminal.

APM Terminals has the world’s largest fleet of automated straddle carriers at Pier 400 in Los Angeles, where it operates some 130 Kalmar machines. Separately, APM Terminals is involved in a straddle carrier automation pilot at Aarhus with ZPMC. A first ZPMC automated machine arrived in early 2022, and two more machines have now arrived. APM Terminals calls the machines “Blue Bots” and says they “have been specifically built for APM Terminals Aarhus based on specifications and learnings from the yard.”

“We are proud to be part of the development of these highly advanced GPS operated automated straddle carriers. We have been testing the first straddle carrier in a small, enclosed area which has provided valuable learnings and insights for the development of the next models. With the new Blue Bots, we are now ready to expand our test area to 65.000 m2 in order to further analyse and optimise the technology to fit our operation and enhance safety”, said Mikael Gutman, Nordic Managing Director in APM Terminals.

At Aarhus the first ZPMC Blue Bot “has already been undergoing tests on new capabilities, such as navigation in the reefer area and picking and placing containers to and from a test quay crane lane, completing more than 6000 lifts and navigating some 800 km within the testing area, where the automated straddle carriers do not interfere with daily operations,” APM Terminals said.

The tests also set out to demonstrate automated operations in low temperatures, including winter snow. The automated machines “have been further optimised and equipped with hybrid diesel generators and lithium battery to meet the demand for intelligent environmental protection while also securing convenient operation and maintenance,” APM Terminals concluded.