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US ports have become increasingly clogged as American consumers order record numbers of products from abroad. The port operators say only one thing can help — robots.
How does cargo move through ports today?
When container ships carrying everything from food to clothing to electronics arrive at all but three US ports, they are greeted by human workers. Operators sit in the cabs of conventional cranes, lifting 8-foot wide shipping containers off ships and sorting them in the dock yard, before transferring them to trucks or trains.
Semi-automating the process
Some US terminals have added technologies that allow workers to “semi-automate” the process, with operators controlling the cranes remotely from an off-site office, monitoring via video link but letting the system do most of the work, according to a survey by the US Government Accountability Office. Proponents of automation say that computer modelling allows semi-automated cranes to stack containers closer together and in a more optimal order than humans can, allowing more cargo to pass through the port faster.
The need for full automation
But even with these tools, US ports are struggling to keep up with a surge in imports, says Jean-Paul Rodrigue, a professor of maritime business at Texas A&M University, driving interest in full automation. “You can do all sorts of tricks, operations research, information technologies, management systems, better equipment, but at some point you’re going to need to automate to increase productivity,” he says.
Could robots speed up port automation?
At the fully automated Port of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, all cargo movements are co-ordinated by workers in a central control room. From there, agents direct automated stacking cranes that unload containers from ships and then automatic guided vehicles move them around the yard.
Challenges involved
One of the biggest barriers to automation is the cost of robots themselves. Port operators interviewed by the US Government Accountability Office said that automation required a large upfront investment that they may not have been able to fully recoup before the equipment wore out in 10-20 years. Workers say that current robotics technology struggles with transferring containers between multiple modes of transport, compared with moving them from one ship to another.
Conclusion
Port automation is not without its challenges, but as demand for imports grows, port operators will be forced to expand their use of robotics. As Rodrigue notes, “In a matter of a decade or so, with the ongoing growth of traffic, it’s going to be almost impossible to operate a terminal in the US” without automation.
FAQs
Q: What is the current state of port automation?
A: Port operators are struggling to keep up with a surge in imports, with current technologies only partially automating the process.
Q: What are the challenges involved in port automation?
A: The cost of robots, adapting to changing supply chain challenges, and the need for close collaboration among different parts of the port.
Q: Will robots solve the problem of port congestion?
A: While robots can help, they are not a panacea and may not meet expectations of increasing productivity by as much as 35%.
Q: What is the future of port automation?
A: As demand for imports grows, port operators will be forced to expand their use of robotics, making full automation a necessary step to increase productivity.
