DP World, the global trade enabler, is upgrading two of its Konecranes Rubber Tired Gantry (RTG) cranes to test the capabilities of remote operation, Konecranes said in its press release. This will take place at DP World’s Yarimca container terminal in Turkey, which operates a fleet of 18 Konecranes RTGs.
DP World is exploring the possibilities of better productivity through remote container crane operation. The DP World Yarimca container terminal, one of the largest container terminals in Turkey with 1.3M TEU capacity, will upgrade two of its Konecranes RTGs to test the viability of remote operation.
DP World Yarimca’s Konecranes RTG cranes are electrically powered by cable reel systems. They are already equipped with safety-enhancing and operator-assisting features such as Stack Collision Prevention, Trailer Lift Prevention, Auto-Truck Guiding and Auto-Positioning. They are also equipped with Auto-TOS Reporting. This will make the upgrade to remote operation relatively easy, involving the installation of two Remote Operating Stations (ROSs).
Antoine Bosquet, Sales Director, region EMEA, Port Solutions, Konecranes, said: “I am pleased to receive this opportunity to field-test remote operation with two of the Konecranes RTGs in the DP World fleet. Together, we will test the remote operation concept, studying the performance of the remotely operated RTGs versus the manned RTGs in the container yard as they carry out work cycles in everyday operating conditions.”
The upgraded RTGs will be remotely operated from two Remote Operating Stations (ROSs). De-coupling the crane and operator is an important step towards the next generation of lifting. The operator can become much more productive, and the productivity of the entire crane fleet can be improved. The upgraded RTGs are scheduled to be operational at the beginning of next year.
Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment of all makes. In 2016, Group (comparable combined company) sales totaled EUR 3,278 million. The Group has 16,600 employees at 600 locations in 50 countries. Konecranes class A shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.