Navis N4 TOS Open in Liverpool Terminal

Peel Ports, owners and operators of the Port of Liverpool, has achieved a major milestone in its multi-million investment program to transform the port into Europe’s first semi-automated container terminal. The Navis N4 Terminal Operating System (TOS) and AutoGates are now live and fully operational following the construction and commissioning programs.

The new TOS and 10-lane AutoGates are the latest phase of new infrastructure in the company’s $468 million redevelopment project to expand and develop Liverpool2, consolidating its position as the UK’s largest transatlantic deep-sea port and container terminal. The $15.1 million information systems investment platform, which has been undergoing rigorous testing in recent weeks, will deliver faster turnaround times through a streamlined process from landside or quayside entry to exit.

The fully automated AutoGate system uses state-of-the-art identification technologies to manage gate operations, ensuring that all containers and trucks are automatically identified before entering or exiting the terminal. Advanced OCR (optical character recognition) and line-scan camera technology (automatically detecting seal presence) link with gate operating software that seamlessly integrates to Peel Port’s existing terminal operating software, Navis N4, and Customer Access Portal (CAP). The security process is further completed using biometric fingerprint identification to further validate driver/load identification and enhance security.

David Huck, Port Director, said: “The introduction of AutoGates and the new Navis N4 TOS is a very important step for us in making a difference to our customers, enhancing their experience using the port. We took the bold move to combine both initiatives into a single project to minimise any disruption to normal operations for our customers and to provide the overall benefits sooner.  Although this decision came with added risks, we have managed to deliver this significant upgrade to our capabilities, thanks to the planning and hard work of the whole team over many months.

“Haulier transactions are now fully integrated into the N4 system, which means more secure and efficient visits and minimal turnaround times at our terminals. This process will also mean that paperwork and leaving the vehicle are unnecessary, so increasing security, improving safety, reducing risks and saving time spent completing manual checks.

The AutoGate equipment was supplied and installed by Kalmar and its partners, APS Technology Group, who provided the OCR technology.

Tommi Pettersson, VP Automation at Kalmar, said: “Our automated solutions drive greater efficiencies, resulting in lower overall operational costs, improved safety and better equipment availability. Process automation solutions are designed to optimise the information flows within the terminal's business processes to ensure the most efficient equipment utilization.”

How the system works

• Before coming on site the haulier registers their lorry consignment details on a simple and streamlined online system.
• On entering the port the system will scan a lorry, capturing all details (container number, container size type, hazard placards, bolt seals, container damage) automatically through optical character recognition. It will also scan the licence plate and take a photo of the driver.
• The driver proceeds to a kiosk, scans their biometric ID card (this is linked to the online account used to register the consignment) and answers a few simple questions on a touch screen monitor.
• On entering the terminal, the system will direct the driver and inform the Straddle Carrier that unloading/loading will take place.