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Writer's pictureAritrya Sen

Container Tracking with RTLS in Terminals and Docks


Container Tracking

Marine terminals face a perennial challenge: tracking containers. Containers are often misplaced due to the multitude of drivers and contractors involved in their transportation. Drivers frequently park containers in incorrect locations, making it difficult to find them when needed. This issue disrupts terminal operations and creates inefficiencies.


A promising solution involves using a Real-Time Locating System (RTLS). This technology can track wireless tags attached to containers or chassis throughout the terminal. By automatically logging the locations of containers, RTLS helps terminals manage their assets more effectively, ensuring that containers can be located swiftly and accurately.


Implementing an RTLS in a marine terminal offers several advantages. It brings proven reliability, having been used successfully in other mission-critical environments. The system's extensibility allows for the tracking of various assets beyond containers, such as chassis, ensuring comprehensive asset management without significant additional costs.

 

Benefits of RTLS in Container Tracking at Marine Terminals:


  • Real-time container location visibility

  • Automated tracking, reducing human error

  • Improved operational efficiency and productivity

  • Enhanced decision-making with accurate data

  • Reduced time and labor costs in locating containers

  • Increased driver compliance with parking instructions

  • Streamlined check-in and check-out processes

  • Enhanced security and audit trails for containers

  • Scalable solution to adapt to growing needs

  • Integration with other systems for comprehensive asset management


Let’s dive in to understand how Syook’s real-time location system (RTLS) can help you achieve the same.

 

Streamlining Container Processing using RTLS 


Marine terminals must efficiently handle a vast number of containers daily. Containers arrive via vessels, trains, or trucks and need to be precisely tracked through various processing stages within the terminal. However, the complex movements and multiple handling points make this task arduous.


Using an RTLS, terminals can monitor the exact location of containers from the moment they enter the terminal. This includes tracking containers parked on chassis, placed on stacks, or moved by terminal equipment. By providing real-time data, RTLS eliminates the uncertainty of container locations, thus improving operational efficiency and reducing the time and labor costs associated with searching for misplaced containers.


Additionally, RTLS helps mitigate human errors in data entry and driver compliance. By automating location tracking, terminals can ensure containers are where they are supposed to be, even if drivers fail to follow parking instructions. This technological intervention significantly enhances the accuracy and reliability of container processing.


Enhancing Gate Check-In Procedures 


Containers entering marine terminals through central check-in gates present unique challenges. External drivers unfamiliar with terminal operations often park containers incorrectly, leading to further complications. To address this, RTLS can be integrated into the gate check-in process, where temporary tags are affixed to containers or chassis upon entry.


This integration provides immediate location data for each container, enabling terminals to track their movement accurately. By eliminating manual data entry at the gate, RTLS reduces the potential for errors and speeds up the check-in process. This real-time tracking ensures that containers are parked or grounded as instructed, even during peak hours when delays and mistakes are more common.


RTLS technology offers a robust solution for managing the complexities of container movement within marine terminals. Its ability to provide real-time location data and automate tracking processes significantly improves operational efficiency and accuracy, ultimately enhancing overall terminal performance.


Addressing Data Entry and Driver Compliance Issues


One of the significant challenges marine terminals face is ensuring accurate data entry and compliance with parking instructions. Errors in these areas can lead to misplaced containers, causing delays and increasing operational costs. RTLS addresses these issues by automating the tracking process, thus minimizing human error.


For example, when a container is discharged from a vessel, a clerk typically notes its location and assigns a parking spot. However, due to the high volume of containers and the manual nature of this process, errors can occur. RTLS eliminates this problem by using wireless tags that transmit the container's location in real-time, ensuring the information is accurate and up-to-date.


Similarly, driver compliance can be difficult to enforce, especially with numerous external drivers entering the terminal daily. RTLS monitors the actual parking locations of containers, regardless of whether the drivers followed the instructions. This oversight allows terminal operators to quickly locate containers and address any discrepancies, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.


Enhancing Operational Efficiency with RTLS 


Operational efficiency is critical for marine terminals, given the high volume of containers they process daily. RTLS contributes to this efficiency by providing real-time visibility into container locations, enabling faster and more accurate decision-making.


For instance, when a container is needed for retrieval, RTLS allows terminal operators to locate it immediately, reducing the time spent searching for misplaced containers. This real-time data also helps in optimizing the movement of containers within the terminal, ensuring that they are positioned in the most efficient manner for subsequent handling and transportation.


Moreover, RTLS can be integrated with other terminal management systems, creating a comprehensive solution that enhances overall operational efficiency. By streamlining processes and reducing the potential for errors, RTLS enables marine terminals to handle higher volumes of containers more effectively, ultimately improving their service levels and customer satisfaction.


Syook’s RTLS: Implementing a Scalable Solution 


Scalability is a crucial factor for marine terminals, as their operations and container volumes can fluctuate significantly. RTLS offers a scalable solution that can grow with the terminal's needs, ensuring that it remains effective regardless of changes in operational demands.


Starting with an entry-level RTLS implementation, terminals can track the locations of containers discharged from vessels or trains to chassis. As the terminal's needs evolve, the system can be expanded to include additional assets, such as permanently tagging chassis or using temporary tags for containers. This flexibility allows terminals to tailor the RTLS solution to their specific requirements, ensuring optimal performance at all times.


Furthermore, RTLS's scalability means that it can be deployed in phases, allowing terminals to gradually increase their tracking capabilities without significant upfront investment. This phased approach makes it easier for terminals to adopt the technology and realize its benefits incrementally, ultimately leading to a more efficient and effective operation.


Leveraging Advanced Technologies


The integration of advanced technologies with RTLS can further enhance its capabilities and provide additional benefits for marine terminals. For example, incorporating optical character recognition (OCR) can automate the data entry process, reducing the potential for human errors and speeding up container handling.


OCR technology can automatically read container numbers and input them into the terminal's management system, eliminating the need for manual data entry. This automation ensures that container information is accurate and up-to-date, facilitating smoother operations and reducing the likelihood of misplaced containers.


In addition to OCR, integrating RTLS with other sensor technologies can provide comprehensive monitoring of container conditions. For instance, temperature sensors can be used to monitor refrigerated containers, ensuring that they maintain the correct temperature throughout their stay in the terminal. This capability is particularly valuable for perishable goods, as it helps maintain their quality and safety.


Solving expensive operational challenges with RTLS 


Marine terminals face significant challenges in tracking and managing containers. The complexity of container movements, combined with the potential for human error and driver non-compliance, can lead to inefficiencies and increased operational costs. Implementing a Real-Time Locating System (RTLS) offers a robust solution to these challenges.


RTLS provides real-time visibility into container locations, automates tracking processes, and enhances operational efficiency. Its scalability ensures that it can grow with the terminal's needs, and its integration with advanced technologies further enhances its capabilities.


By leveraging RTLS solution offered by Syook marine terminals can streamline their operations, reduce costs, and improve service levels, ultimately achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness in their container handling processes. Syook InSite is a no-code, hardware agnostic, cloud agnostic and modular IIoT platform backed with Ai and sensor intelligence. Connect with us if you want to know more.


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