In the quest to achieve more efficient ports, it is crucial to identify and understand the problems that affect the performance and profitability of container terminals. Container loading and unloading operations generate significant complications, many of them related to the positioning of containers and equipment assignment and routing within a terminal yard. These problems can be mitigated by implementing advanced technological systems optimizing the percentage of space used at port operations.
At eYARD, we have developed an AI-based rules generation tool, which leads to much more efficient container terminal management. This system is responsible for determining:
- What group of containers do we want to manage within the port.
- Which KPIs are established for each group of containers, making the system determine the right decisions.
HOW CAN DO THE SYSTEM DO THAT?
The process to adjust the dynamic rules is developed in 3 steps:
1. Demand forecast generation:
We use Artificial Intelligence to predict the demand and characteristics of the containers that will come to the terminal. The algorithm finds “hidden” patterns in the data to efficiently predict the demand.
The system uses previous years’ data, enriched data, and hybrid data sets to make the best possible predictions of containers arriving at the terminal in the coming weeks.
2. Generation of scenarios and recommendations:
Once demand has been forecasted, the system generates different scenarios and recommendations evaluating the impact on KPIs and metrics for the operator.
The operations director or yard planner can see the different impacts and make the best decision by making these analyses.
This step calculates all possible combinations and makes them visual for the planner.
3. Save recommendation:
The planner can easily save the preferred configuration and use it in operation. Once the container arrives at the terminal, it will be stored at the most optimal assigned location to improve productivity.
This tool can be used for both import and export containers.
WHICH IMPACT DOES THIS TOOL HAVE ON THE CONTAINER TERMINAL?
👉 Automatic configuration of rules based on a container demand prediction.
👉 Time savings for the planner and operations director
👉 Time savings in ship loading/unloading
👉 Truck turnaround reduction
👉 Improved productivity of terminal resources
DO YOU WANT YO LEARN MORE?
If you are interested in improving your yard operations productivity, do not hesitate to schedule a quick call with us to learn more about our Dynamic rules generation tool, or DOWNLOAD the document below: