Automatically reading loading and unloading lists
Various types of messages are exchanged between the barge operator and/or shortsea shipping line, ship and terminal. The barge operator or shortsea shipping line communicates the provisional loading and/or unloading list with both the ship and the terminal.
A barge operator sends the loading or unloading list to the system of the barge in the form of an IFTMIN-BICS message. For the inland terminal, the barge operator now often prints out the loading/unloading list from the Modality system and sends this to the inland terminal as an Excel list or PDF.A shortsea operator usually sends the loading list to the terminal in the form of an EDI message (COPRAR-Load). The discharge list is commonly sent in the form of an EDI message (COPRAR Discharge) as well.The communication between the barge operator and/or shortsea shipping line and the inland terminal can be automated in several ways. For example, EDI messages (COPRAR-Load/Discharge) can be automatically read by the Modality system of the terminal. It is also possible to use a direct API interface for the communication between the system of the barge or shortsea operator and the Modality system of the terminal.

Automatically reading and sending stowage plan data
When the skipper receives the loading and unloading data from the IFTMIN-BICS, they use this information to make a stability calculation and, with that, a stowage plan. The data from the stowage plan (also called “bay plan”) can be sent to the terminal in an EDI message. This EDI message is also called a BAPLIE (BAyPlan Including Empties) message and indicates the exact location of specific containers aboard the vessel. The shortsea/barge skipper communicates the stowage plan information, both for inbound and for outbound cargo, with the inland terminal so that the terminal has up-to-date insight into the layout of the vessel. As a result, the crane operator at the terminal knows exactly where specific containers are located on board and the terminal operation can ensure that the correct containers are ready to be loaded based on the outbound stowage plan.

After the cargo has been unloaded, the crane operator starts loading the ship. The position of the loaded containers is registered in the Modality crane application. Once all the containers are on board, the terminal sends a BAPLIE message to the ship containing the stowage plan positions of the newly loaded containers and the containers that have remained on board.
Modality offers system functions to automatically read BAPLIE messages for both inland shipping and shortsea. Furthermore, we have developed a stowage plan module that allows the crane operator to establish a container’s location on the ship by means of a graphical overview. It is also possible to confirm the loaded containers in the stowage plan via the touchscreen.

The use of graphical overviews contributes to more efficient quay planning

Graphical overviews ensure more efficient quay planning
In addition to the automatic reading of loading and unloading lists and stowage plan data, graphical overviews also provide an excellent tool to boost efficiency.

For example, we have developed the ‘quay planning’ module for terminals. The quay planning provides graphical insight into the occupancy of the quay. This overview shows the quay length(s) on one axis and a timeline on the other axis. Depending on the average number of moves per hour, the Modality system calculates the period during which the ship will occupy the quay. As a result, the quay planning has accurate insight into the occupancy when making agreements with barges and ships.

Furthermore, it is possible to integrate a graphical overview of the stack into the system. This will show the containers in the stack, with their position and colour-coded properties (think of shipping line, weight and planning).

Work planners can use this graphical stack overview to determine the position of the containers that need to be loaded in a single, clear overview.

Using the voyage monitor web module supports work planning
Besides the graphical stack overview, the voyage monitor is another convenient module to support the work planning process.  This web overview offers terminal employees a clear list which shows them exactly when a certain ship is expected at which berth and how many handlings will need to be performed. In practice, we see that the voyage monitor is often displayed on large screens in different rooms. In addition to the operational staff on the quay, the planners and management consequently also have insight into the current quay occupancy and the progress of the work.

As you can see, there are several options to automate the communication between barge operators, shortsea shipping lines, skippers and terminals. Furthermore, useful modules are available to make terminal operations on the waterside more efficient and surveyable. Would you like more information about our automation solutions for loading and unloading containers on the waterside? Our Sales Department will gladly explain the possibilities and the interfaces with existing systems. Please contact them directly via sales@modality.nl or +31 (0) 180 531 035.

Het bericht Automation on the waterside; efficient communication between barge operator, shipping line, shipper and terminal verscheen eerst op Modality.

Unique stacking rules per terminal
Each terminal site has a different infrastructure. Furthermore, various types of cranes are used. A stacking plan is drawn up based on logic and differs from site to site. The working method of a crane operator or reach stacker driver can also vary from one terminal to the next, depending on the terminal’s objectives and any agreements with the customer (such as maximum truck dwell time at the terminal, for example, or customers calling containers on-demand). So, the stacking rules at a terminal depend on factors such as infrastructure, site layout and objectives. The characteristics of stack positions also play a role here; two examples are stacks equipped with reefer racks to accommodate reefer containers and stacks specifically geared to the storage of containers carrying hazardous goods. There are various ways in which this process, the allocation of stack positions, can be optimised and automated. Again, the most suitable optimisation for a specific situation differs per terminal. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss three different optimisation options for implementing stacking rules we currently use for our customers. Towards the end of the article, we will also discuss additional optimisation options to keep unpaid handlings at the terminal to a minimum.

Optimisation option 1: Automate stacking rules using planning boards
Different types of stacking rules apply to inbound and outbound truck traffic. The locations which are assigned to export containers delivered by truck are established in one set of stacking rules, for example, and the stacking or retrieval locations regarding the delivery and collection of empty depot containers in another set of rules. These stacking rules are digitally recorded in our planning boards. The Modality system ‘reads’ these stacking rules and communicates the optimal location. Because the planning boards are linked to the ‘Gate control module’, the Modality system can already indicate the recommended stack position the moment the truck enters the terminal. As a result, the counter employee can advise the driver of the most optimal stack position when they report to the counter or gate. The planning boards basically run in the background. When stacking rules are amended, terminal employees can easily implement these changes in the planning boards.
In practice, planning boards are mainly used to assign stack positions to containers delivered and collected by truck. Of course, planning boards have just as much added value for allocating the most optimal stack positions for rail and maritime containers.

Optimisation option 2: Automatically generate an advised stack position
A second option for optimisation entails automating the stacking rules that the crane operator or reach stacker driver uses when selecting a stacking position. By this, we mean the decision-making rules that are made every day based on human insight. We inventory and categorise these decision-making rules and next incorporate them within an algorithm. This algorithm considers various parameters such as current stack occupancy, collection date, container type, cargo type, etc. The current position of the crane can also be a possible parameter within the algorithm. If this is the case, then an interface between the crane’s PLC system and the Modality system is needed. With this interface, the Modality system continuously receives the exact location of the crane as well as all lock and unlock actions. The Modality system inventories all information and generates up-to-date stack position advice based on the parameters within the algorithm.

Automatically generate an advised stack position

Optimisation option 3: the generation of automated handling orders
In the previous example, the crane operator or reach stacker driver sets their priorities regarding the tasks they must perform that day. For example, they start with unloading a barge or truck, whereby the Modality system offers advice regarding the most optimum stack position. An even greater degree of automation is possible as well. For example, the Modality system can automatically generate ‘work orders’ or automated handling orders. Here, the system not only proposes a stack advice but also determines the priority/order of the movements to be performed. Consequently, the system is leading in determining the order of all activities the operator or driver must perform daily. While the system still plays an advisory role in other situations, it is guiding in this specific situation and the operator or driver no longer has any influence on selecting the stack positions.

Other terminal optimisations: graphical stack overviews and reading stowage plan data
When a terminal is crowded and has a high occupancy rate, it becomes more difficult for the operation to keep track of all activities. Our graphical stack overviews offer support in this. The name says it all: the various stack positions are displayed visually in the graphical stack overview. The graphical stack overviews make it possible to filter on specific outbound journeys or unloading addresses, for example. Since the graphical stack overview also uses different colours, containers with the same unloading date can be visually displayed in the same colour, for instance. This gives both terminal (yard) management and crane operators and reach stacker drivers a convenient tool that supports them in manually determining the most optimal stack positions. If the Modality system is linked to the crane’s PLC system, the operator no longer has to change stack positions during movements within the crane range manually; furthermore, any changes are automatically displayed in the graphical stack overview as well.
Another option for optimisation is the automatic reading of stowage plan data into the Modality system via EDI. This allows the crane operator to see the specific loading location of containers on the barge or determine the position of containers that need to be unloaded from the vessel.

The ideal situation when allocating the most optimal stack positions
The most optimal or ideal (automation) situation for determining stack positions varies per terminal. For example, generating automated handling orders is only possible if an interface with the crane’s PLC system is present. If the terminal mainly uses reach stackers to stack the containers, one option could be to transmit the current location to the Modality system by means of an interface with OCR software in combination with GPS. Is full automation of the stacking rules not yet possible? Then the graphical stack overviews constitute a useful tool for keeping track of containers and manually determining the most ideal stack positions. Depending on your own situation, you can choose the optimisation options that suit you best.

Would you like advice on the automation of stacking rules and the other options we provide regarding terminal optimisation? Our Sales Department will gladly tell you more about previous customer case studies. Please contact our Sales Department directly via sales@modality.nl or +31 (0) 180 531 035.

Het bericht Terminal optimisation through automation stacking rules verscheen eerst op Modality.