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Khalifa Port has hit a further milestone in terms of port productivity, as truck turnaround time at the port’s semi-automated container terminal has now dropped to just 12 minutes. Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC), the facility developer, claims this makes the terminal the most efficient in the region.
Khalifa Port’s container terminal which is operated by ADPC subsidiary Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT), started off with a truck turnaround time of around 40 minutes at the beginning of commercial operations in September 2012. Today’s turnaround record of 12 minutes marks a 70% time reduction in just two years.
Apart from optimizing system interfaces with the automated stacking cranes (ASC), which organize the containers in the container yard, the significant turnaround time reduction is attributed to an emphasis on training truck drivers how to use the semi-automated container terminal and making them familiar with all of its facilities.
In addition, Khalifa Port is equipped with a comprehensive information and communications technology (ICT) system that allows ADT to optimize operations on the port site. Part of this ICT system is an appointment application through which truck drivers register online and choose a preferred time window to drop off or pick up a container. This enables ADT personnel to organize truck arrivals and container cargo ahead of time.
Against this backdrop, ADT has further improved coordination among staff members at Khalifa Port’s container depot. Moreover ADPC has invested in additional Automatic Stacking Cranes (ASCs) at the port’s container yard, bringing the total on site to 42. Furthermore, ADPC has introduced optical character recognition (OCR), as well as RFID (radio frequency ID) tags for truck drivers to make their entry to and exit from the port faster and more convenient.
“A quick truck turnaround time is very important for our customers as it affects their supply chain efficiency. Achieving a 12-minute turnaround time for trucks is a fantastic result which raises Khalifa Port’s status as an international maritime hub, driving trade and economic prosperity across the emirates”, says Gary Lemke, executive vice president, ports, ADPC.
