ABB to improve efficiency of cargo operations at Wilson Sons’ Tecon Rio Grande

Wilson Sons has selected ABB’s Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system for ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes at the Rio Grande container terminal, including the QuayPro module to digitalize container stowage confirmation processes. The company has been using ABB’s automated gate systems both at its Rio Grande and Salvador container terminals since 2013. Adding Crane OCR with QuayPro to the existing gate system supports their vision to automate and digitalize terminal processes.

The ABB Crane OCR solution automates the process of capturing data as containers are loaded and discharged by STS cranes. Using ABB’s advanced AI imaging technology, the system captures container numbers, ISO codes, door orientation, bolt seal presence and hazardous material labels, as well as recording images for damage inspection purposes. With the exception management system, clerks can correct or adjust transactions from a remote location in real-time. The solution also includes ABB MatchMaker™, which identifies the terminal trucks, allowing for the automated handoff between crane and terminal vehicles.

The combination of ABB Crane OCR and the QuayPro module makes it possible to streamline the stowage confirmation process, resulting in increased productivity. The module determines the actual stowage position of containers during vessel loading operations, providing input to the terminal operating system to create an accurate outbound BAPLIE (bayplan/stowage plan occupied and empty locations message) file, in addition to confirming the accuracy of inbound stow positions. Any deviation from the load or discharge plan is reported in real-time, enabling the terminal to adapt to dynamic variations. In addition, crane drivers get audio-visual work instructions.

Through its work in Tecon Rio Grande, Wilson Sons became, in 2022, the first Latin American company to join the TIC 4.0 (Terminal Industry Committee), a global innovation community for the port community. TIC 4.0 oversees the implementation of the 4th industrial revolution among cargo carriers, promoting the encounter of world leaders in terminal operations, as well as producers and suppliers of top-notch technology for ports.

Last year, Wilson Sons updated the system employed at Tecon Rio Grande. The version of the leader in port terminal management, Navis N4, features many improved characteristics, such as in terms of mobility to the vessel and patio’s schedule, which can now be done remotely via tablet. The new platform allows users to add new modules as if they were apps, reducing time and investment in new resources. The system has also been upgraded in terms of velocity and overall performance.

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