Kalmar's AutoStrad delivery to Patrick's Port Botany sets the benchmark for the industry
Kalmar, part of Cargotec, played a successful role in delivering an automated straddle carrier solution to Patrick Stevedores' during their recent automation of Port Botany container terminal in Sydney, Australia. The conversion from manual operations at Port Botany was made in only four days, setting a benchmark for the whole container terminal industry, the company said in its press release.
Patrick's Port Botany is now the world's second fully-automated AutoStrad(TM) terminal, operating with 45 Kalmar AutoStrads and real time control systems. It follows the automation success of Patrick's Fisherman Island terminal in Brisbane, which was converted to an automated straddle carrier operation in 2005. The Fisherman Islands terminal experienced substantial improvements in safety and reliability and similar increases are expected at Port Botany.
"Our Port Botany terminal is one of the most sophisticated automated terminals in the world. Patrick and Kalmar's successful relationship over many years is thanks to the strong teamwork between our companies," comments Alistair Field, Director, Patrick Terminals and Logistics.
The automation technology used in Kalmar AutoStrads was developed in close cooperation between Kalmar and Patrick. The technology is based on a radar-based navigation system, maximising operating efficiency from gate to quayside. Kalmar acquired the AutoStrad technology and competence from Patrick's parent company Asciano in 2012 with the aim to become a leading port automation supplier globally.
Kalmar AutoStrads can operate unmanned 24/7, eliminating human error and increasing workplace safety. In addition, the AutoStrad technology introduces predictable, process-driven reliability into stevedoring, improving terminal throughput while lowering operating costs, improving flexibility and promoting better environmental outcomes.
"The successful implementation of AutoStrad technology both in Brisbane and Sydney demonstrates the proven concept is ready to be deployed globally in terminals seeking for substantial improvement in productivity, safety, reliability as well as in operating costs," comments Peter McLean, Vice President, Australia and New Zealand, Kalmar.
Kalmar continues to deliver lifetime support to Patrick's operations in Port Botany through its Kalmar Maintenance Service Contract branded Kalmar Care. The contract includes continuous AutoStrad support from 47 Kalmar technicians and a team of automation and reliability engineers. Additionally the services contract includes maintenance support for eight ship-to-shore (STS) cranes of different makes and twelve Bromma spreaders.
The AutoStrad terminal is one of the concepts provided under the Kalmar OneTerminal offering, which was introduced to the market at the TOC Europe exhibition in June 2015.
