Kalmar SmartRead cuts down on container handling exceptions

Kalmar SmartRead helps reduce human errors in container handling processes at ports and terminals by minimising the number of exception cases and incorrect container transactions. 

The Kalmar SmartRead solution utilises cameras on the spreader of the machine to read the ID number of the container being handled. This information is relayed to the Terminal Operating System (TOS) automatically, eliminating errors from incorrect or missing container identifications as well as productivity losses from time-consuming manual data input. Safety is improved as employees no longer need to be sent out into the yard to identify or locate misplaced containers, and fewer exceptions correlate directly to higher performance for the terminal.

"As terminal operators know, container handling exceptions are still a significant cause of lost productivity and operational bottlenecks," says Jean-Philippe Joassin, Director, Process Automation, Kalmar. "Misidentified containers are one of the key reasons for exception cases, so Kalmar SmartRead was designed to allow operators to increase their productivity and streamline container movement, rather than spending time and resources on handling exception cases that happened during operation."

Misidentified containers are one of the key reasons for exception cases, so Kalmar SmartRead was designed to allow operators to increase their productivity and streamline container movement.

Plug in and go

Kalmar SmartRead is realized in partnership with Visy, a Finland-based global leader in gate automation and OCR solutions. The solution is designed for challenging weather and operational conditions, and incorporates cameras and cabinets engineered for rugged high G-force environments with IP67 rated ingress protection. 

The Kalmar SmartRead solution is fully pre-integrated with the Kalmar SmartPort set of process automation modules. When combined with Kalmar's SmartStack, a solution for automated container tracking and position reporting, it enables highly accurate real-time tracing of every container in the terminal.

"We have done a lot of work over the years to help our customers reduce the number of exceptions in their operations through the development of the Kalmar SmartPort solution," adds Angelica Nieto Lee, Product Manager Automation Solutions, Kalmar. "Kalmar SmartRead represents a completely new level of accuracy. OCR has been utilised in gate and STS crane operations at ports for many years, but now the technology has reached sufficient maturity to be used on container spreaders in the challenging operating conditions for reachstackers." 

We have done a lot of work over the years to help our customers reduce the number of exceptions in their operations through the development of the Kalmar SmartPort solution.

For terminals already running Kalmar SmartPort, no changes in the TOS are required when deploying Kalmar SmartRead. The OCR solution can also be added to a wide range of Terminal Operating Systems through Kalmar's easy-to-use application interfaces.

"The idea for the solution came from discussions with many of our customers, as we found they were looking for a way to further reduce exception cases," says Jean-Philippe Joassin. "To address this need, we developed a solution that easily interfaces with Kalmar SmartPort without any additional software development or systems integration. Kalmar SmartRead complements our existing SmartPort offering, making it an even more comprehensive process automation solution than before."

Kalmar SmartRead can be installed on Kalmar toploaders and reachstackers as well as RTG and RMG cranes. The first impressions from early adopters have been overwhelmingly positive. "In short, our pilot customers absolutely loved it," says Joassin. "Within a couple months of testing, they decided to purchase the technology to outfit all of their remaining fleet, as they realized the value the new solution is bringing in combination with the rest of the SmartPort offering."