With the presence of ever larger mega-ships and rising container volumes, US West Coast ports are being challenged to adopt a higher level of operational practice and invest in automated technology in order to keep pace with the supply chain.

The Journal of Commerce reports Vice President of port planning firm Moffat and Nichol as stating: “San Pedro Bay terminals in their current operating mode are approaching their limits of capacity and service.

“The current preferred operating mode cannot meet the challenges of the next phase, in my opinion, and significant change in terminal operation is required, and pretty soon.”

Nye was speaking at the second annual JOC Port Performance North America conference where he went on to add: “Some terminals are at this point now where they have to make a decision on whether to go to the RTG or go to automated stacking cranes.

“It’s no longer just about deep water, stronger berths and bigger cranes. It will require a whole new terminal, specifically designed to do what it has to do.”

Some Californian terminals have already moved to automation, with TraPac implementing cutting-edge technology in its LA terminal and Hong Kong-based liner OOCL investing in a US$1.3 billion automated terminal in its ‘Middle Harbor’ initiative. 

Nye concluded: “What we need to do is skip the RTG, because it doesn’t work in terms of productivity and cost in San Pedro Bay. RTGs may serve as a temporary bridge for some but it’s a pretty icy bridge and not a place you want to go, and the top-pick has to go the way of the dodo bird.”
(Source : www.porttechnology.org)