Gate automation for ACT Burgas

News

DSP and AllRead have collaborated to deliver a gate automation technology project at Burgas Bay on the Black Sea Coast.

AllRead OCR is installed on the Out Gates. © Photo: DSP

Spain-based AllRead is an OCR company was spun out of the Autonomous University of Barcelona. It has developed an OCR system based on neural networks that can identify data from images and video streams.

DSP (Data and System Planning) is a well known IT service provider and system integrator. Headed by CEO Marco Fehmer, DSP has deep experience in TOS integration and working with Navis N4 in particular.

BMF Port Burgas is the private operator of the Burgas East-2 and Burgas West terminals, located in Burgas Bay on the Black Sea Coast, which are operated as ACT Burgas. The company is currently expanding with the addition of a new berth that will boost capacity to 350,000 TEU per annum when it opens in mid-2025.

BMF Port Burgas is also investing in gate automation technology as part of its “Advance Container Terminal Burgas” strategy. This included a project to install access control and data management technology and integrate systems with the TOS.

This saw DSP and AllRead collaborate to integrate AllRead OCR with Navis N4. “This included configuration, testing, field extensions, optimisation, and go-live support services, including localised training courses so that their management teams are up and running as quickly as possible,” DSP said in a statement. “Highly involved and hands on, the IT team of ACT Burgas lead the acquisition and installation of hardware infrastructure (cameras, lighting servers…), following AllReads technical requirements and recommendations”.

The system went live in June 2024, and DSP says it has “achieved the expected metrics (above 97% accuracy) and satisfactory tests with the TOS and barriers”.

The system reads container numbers, truck license plates and detects the presence of a container seal.

AllRead’s OCR system covers outbound lanes that handle 500 to 1000 trucks per day. The system detects and reads the truck license plates and associates it with the container number. It also detects the presence of a container seal. “At each transit, the license plate is consolidated in real time with the NAVIS N4, to ensure the exit is authorised, and complete the TOS with the remaining Container & Seal data, before opening the gate. In case of discrepancy, an error message is sent and human intervention required,” DSP added.

“Here at BMF Port Burgas, we are actively embracing cutting-edge technologies to enhance our operations and improve efficiency,” said Nikola Chomakov, Operations Manager, ACT Burgas. “We believe that AI-driven solutions are key to staying competitive in today’s logistics landscape. We selected DSP and ALLRead to implement gate automation at our Outgate, optimising cargo flow and reducing turnaround times. We are confident that this partnership will further elevate our service quality and align us with the highest industry standards”.

“The adoption of last generation technology is a must have for a modern container terminal to stay competitive and offer top quality service to its customers. Gate Operations are perfect candidate for process automation and digitalisation,” said Marco Fehmer.

Adriaan Landman, COO at AllRead, added: “Container Terminals like ACT Burgas show growing willingness to adopt collaborative approaches involving various partners in digitalisation projects, being themselves an active player, instead of spectators of turnkey implementations”.

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