Software boost for yard productivity

The port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) has deployed a suite of new software tools to enhance RTG and yard block management. Supplied by ARL Consulting, the tools comprise the RTG Deployer, the RTG Dispatcher and the Yard Clash Predictor.

The RTG Deployer calculates the number of RTGs needed on the yard for the next shifts, based on the terminal’s set productivity target, taking the planned and yet unplanned quay crane moves into account.

The RTG Dispatcher produces optimised RTG dispatching instructions in real time to assure maximum utilisation of all RTGs on the yard by using sophisticated optimisation algorithms.

The Yard Clash Predictor assesses whether the planned sequence of quay crane moves will result in yard clashes. It then prompts the terminal to re-plan and eliminate yard clashes well in advance, securing an uninterrupted quay crane operation.

The tools read the data updated in the terminal operating system and are designed to constantly apply optimisation algorithms to offer the best possible planning and execution scenarios to the operator.

ARL pointed out that better planning and optimised operational execution result in less fuel and maintenance expenses, minimal idle time for RTGs on the yard, no delays in quay crane, vessel, rail, or gate operations, and an optimal number of RTGs deployed even during peak times. Planning teams can deploy a low number of RTGs, yet sufficient to perform all planned moves without delays. The ARL tools have allowed PTP to try out some variants of deployment and management of the RTG fleet. The PTP planners have increased the RTG productivity by more than 15% compared with an end-2008 performance benchmark.