Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has implemented the Kalmar SmartStack solution at Durban Container Terminal (DCT) in South Africa for real-time container inventory reporting and management. This is the first terminal to implement Kalmar SmartStack using the narrowband communication network involving re-engineering from the standard WiFi deployment.
DCT is currently running 11 Kalmar straddle carriers with SmartStack and further eight are to be phased in over the coming weeks. In addition, 11 Terex straddle carriers will be phased into the SmartStack solution and are currently undergoing equipment testing trials by the customer. The final machines to integrate with the solution in this project are two Kalmar empty container handlers. The project delivery further consolidates Kalmar's partnership with the customer, Transnet Port Terminals.
Kalmar SmartStack is a process automation solution that provides automated inventory position updates to the terminal operating system. The benefits are:
Reduced manual stack inventory updating in the terminal yard
Reduction in 'lost' containers in the yard
Real time container positioning
Kalmar SmartPort solutions drive greater efficiencies through process automation, resulting in lower overall operational costs, improved safety and better equipment availability. Process automation solutions are designed to optimise the information flows within the terminal's business processes to ensure the most efficient equipment utilisation. They represent an accessible and fast way to get immediate productivity improvements for a relatively small initial investment. In addition to SmartStack, the solutions include SmartPath, SmartLane, SmartRail, SmartLift, SmartTruck, SmartQuay, SmartTrack and SmartFleet. These process automation solutions fit any size of terminal, any brand of equipment and any terminal operating system (TOS).
Video on Kalmar SmartStack: http://youtu.be/I6IuEnXJ1VM