“The two terminals are among the benchmark terminals of the ICTSI Group: the flagship Manila terminal is the Group’s standard for global operations, while the Suape terminal is among our leading ports in the Americas. We intend to bring terminal automation to the next level by tapping the best IT solutions in the industry,” says Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI vice president and MICT general manager.
ICTSI tapped Identec for the rollout of a radio frequency identification (RFID)-based truck tracking system for the MICT, while ICTSI subsidiary Tecon Suape S.A (TSSA) partnered with APS to implement systems on gate automation, quay crane optical character recognition (OCR) and yard tractor identification for the SCT.
Gonzalez commented on Identec’s project: “The RFID-based gate and yard automation project represents ICTSI’s commitment to innovation and service to our clients. The truck tracking project will provide real-time visibility to trucking operations, decrease truck gate and yard cycle times, and improve RTG productivity. This automation project is a first of its kind in Manila, and ICTSI is looking at this project as a model for other terminal operations.”
When completed, over 5,000 trucks will use RFID tags and sensors for gate automation, locating within the terminal and automating truck-RTG handoffs and job promotion. The RFID system will be integrated with Identec’s container terminal automation system, a tracking software for real-time monitoring.
In Brazil, APS brings its OCR solution and process automation technology to SCT. TSSA is implementing key APS systems to support volume growth, reduce operational costs and to meet customs requirement to install OCR at its gates. TSSA took in APS after the latter successfully completed a similar project in Guayaquil Container and Multipurpose Terminals, ICTSI’s terminal in Ecuador.
"Recife is considered one of the biggest logistics centers in Brazil, and at TSSA, we are updating our information technology infrastructure to meet continued volume growth at the terminal," said Sergio Kano, TSSA Chief Executive Officer.
"We chose APS Technology as our partner because we have the most faith in their approach, and they proved to have the most experience in the region," added Roberta Siqueira, TSSA information technology manager.
ICTSI pioneered and championed automation of port operations in the Philippines. As ICTSI expanded overseas, the company duplicated the implementation of leading edge and state of the art information technology across its global operations. Aside from procuring the best hardware and softare available in the market, ICTSI develops its own in-house programs.
