Largest Automated Port Set to Handle 65 Million Containers Annually

Singapore’s ambitious project to develop the world’s largest automated port is progressing well. The Tuas mega port has already processed 10 million containers since its operations began in September 2022. By the 2040s, once its four-phase development is complete, the port will handle an impressive 65 million containers each year.

Reaching the 10-million mark is a significant achievement for the fully automated terminal as it tests the technology ahead of integrating Singapore’s other ports into this facility in the coming years. This consolidation is expected to reduce inter-terminal transport needs and help cut down on greenhouse gas emissions from port activities.

What does this advanced automated system look like?

At the heart of this massive operation is a command center, where human operators monitor and control vehicles and cranes remotely via large screens that display a digital replica of the port. The facility features a fleet of fast-charging electric automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which autonomously transport containers on their flat chassis. Each AGV can carry either two 20-foot containers or one 40-foot container at speeds of up to 15.5 mph (25 km/h).

Currently, Tuas port boasts a fleet of over 200 AGVs that communicate through RFID technology with underground transponders, allowing real-time location tracking and precise collision avoidance. According to a recent visit by Nikkei Asia’s Fumika Sato, the port’s large fleet of yellow driverless AGVs is so prominent that human workers are hard to spot.

AGVs operated by a central management system

A central fleet system manages the AGVs, and they can run for up to six hours on a 20-minute charge. Designers created these vehicles to communicate continuously, ensuring they remain operational and can be controlled safely, even if some port network systems fail.

To further enhance operations, Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority plans to digitize Tuas port’s processes with a “Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System.” This system will use AI and satellites to monitor traffic in real-time. PSA Singapore, the port operator, also plans to expand the AGV fleet by an additional 200 vehicles as the facility nears full completion.

Environmental benefits and sustainability goals

Electric vehicles and equipment are set to reduce the port’s carbon emissions by around 50% compared to the current diesel-powered machines. Tuas will also implement a smart grid system and feature buildings designed to consume nearly 60% less electricity than comparable structures. Additionally, the port will generate solar energy to achieve net-zero energy consumption.

A major milestone for Singapore

Tuas port began operations in 2022 with just three berths. By February 2024, it had expanded to eight berths, employing 500 workers. The port will continue to grow in the years ahead.In 2024, Singapore’s entire port city handled 41.12 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers. While this figure lags behind Shanghai’s 50 million TEUs, once Tuas is fully operational, it will surpass that number with a capacity of 65 million TEUs at a single terminal.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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