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Total Terminal International Algeciras (TTI Algeciras), the container terminal operator of Hanjin in Southern Spain, has gone live with an innovative new Real Time Locating System from Identec Solutions, for the tracking and control of containers.

Lustenau (AT), August 13, 2010 – TTI Algeciras is the first semi-automatic terminal in the Mediterranean area and was built with the intention of handling the latest as well as the future requirements of container vessels. Identec Solutions, in partnership with Hi-Tech Solutions Europe (HTS-E), deployed active RFID and GPS based technologies for a quay crane RTLS and automated transfer point management system (TPMS) in the automated storage areas.

The terminal, owned and built by the South Korean Hanjin Group and located at the Port of Algeciras on the Strait of Gibraltar, represents the largest single investment ever made by a South Korean company in Spain. Operational for two months prior to the formal opening ceremonies on July 15th 2010, TTI Algeciras had already reached 47 percent of its operational status.

“TTI Algeciras was designed to immediately accommodate a maximum of 1.6 million TEU’s progressively with the commencement of operations,” states Oscar Pernia, Processes Systems and Innovation Team Leader, TTI Algeciras. “Deploying a Real Time Locating System that featured both active RFID and GPS technologies was essential for our terminal’s immediate and long-term objectives. Identec Solutions and Hi-Tech Solutions Europe, were able to provide a solution that met our requirements.”

"This implementation of Identec Solutions RTLS technology in combination with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) will change the way container and intermodal terminals manage their waterside processes," states Gerhard Schedler, CEO, Identec Solutions. "We developed this RTLS solution specifically for terminal tractor and straddle operations at ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, an area where GPS tracking is particularly problematic."

The RTLS and TPMS deployment began in November 2009 and went live in May 2010.
This announcement represents Identec Solutions' commitment to delivering innovative solutions for the port, marine and intermodal markets. In addition to quay crane RTLS and TPM, Identec Solutions, offers process automation solutions for gate access, automated job promotion and reefer monitoring for marine and intermodal terminals.

How it works:
Leveraged from Identec Solutions award-winning SensorSMART Technology Platform, the RTLS solution combines intelligent active RFID tags along with an advanced RTLS positioning and visibility system that determines the exact location of shuttle vehicles under eight ship to shore (STS) cranes. As shuttles discharge or pick-up containers under the STS cranes, the shuttle ID and exact position are determined by RTLS then matched to the container ID captured by the Hi-Tech OCR system mounted on the STS cranes. Once the shuttle leaves the crane area, tracking of the equipment seamlessly transitions to Differential GPS allowing the containers to be managed and monitored more effectively. Based on the ISO 24730-5 standard, this solution ensures total traceability, increases STS productivity and creates a safer work environment.

The RFID based Transfer Point Management System is an innovative new application of Identec Solutions’ standard RFID technology. TTI Algeciras uses 32 automated Rail Mounted Gantries (RMG) to store and retrieve containers. At both the waterside and landside transfer points, tags on the base of the shuttle vehicles are used to confirm the absolute position of shuttles as they enter the transfer point zones. This information is sent to the RMG control system to ensure the safety of operators during hand-offs, and to provide 100% traceability in container transitions.

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