Kalmar SmartPort a differentiator in container terminal efficiency and automation

Evolving with customers and setting the standard in more innovative and modernised operations, Kalmar SmartPort Process Automation enables terminals to optimise their extensive container operations. From saving time and reducing costs with real-time tracking to improving standards around safety and security, SmartPort offers countless benefits.

“Ultimately, Kalmar SmartPort benefits the entire container operation, including the people monitoring equipment and systems and planning the yard,” says Jean-Philippe Joassin, Director, Process Automation at Kalmar. “SmartPort provides the entire terminal operation with significantly better visibility than they’ve ever had before to everything occurring in the yard. This visibility enables real-time and historical tracking data on equipment, vehicles and containers to offer deeper operational insights.”

SmartPort provides the entire terminal operation with significantly better visibility than they’ve ever had before to everything occurring in the yard. This visibility enables real-time and historical tracking data of equipment, vehicles and containers to offer deeper operational insights.

Currently deployed at nearly 90 terminal locations globally, SmartPort is used in various marine terminals, rail terminals and intermodal facilities.

10 SmartPort modules for most equipment types

Designed with a full range of 10 process automation modules, SmartPort offers terminals the flexibility to choose the right modules for the specific needs and layouts of their operations.

Each of these modules has been uniquely designed for different aspects of each operation; from SmartMap’s real-time visualisation of equipment to SmartStack’s ability to track containers around the yard to SmartScreen’s automated ability to visually bring all the jobs together on a display. There’s even an exclusive SmartTrack module, which has been created to help rail terminals facilitate their railcar discharge operations.

“SmartPort Process Automation solutions are enabling operations to dramatically elevate their throughput by increasing the number of moves that they can do because of the visibility SmartPort provides them with and even informing them of exactly what to do,” explains Joassin.

“In modernising their operations and adding the intelligence of SmartPort, customers have become considerably more powerful, typically facilitating between 20% and 50% more moves than what these operations were capable of previously.”

In modernising their operations and adding the intelligence of SmartPort, customers have become considerably more powerful, typically facilitating between 20% and 50% more moves than what these operations were capable of previously.

Kalmar SmartPort brings regulatory benefits as well

Kalmar SmartPort has been specifically designed to work with and alongside many manufacturers’ container-handling equipment. While other players in the industry rely more on hardware and equipment, Kalmar’s SmartPort software is a differentiator that brings added value to customers.

“SmartPort’s modules are hardware agnostic, whereas the competition is much more focused on hardware, with ultimately everyone using the same basic hardware, from tracking devices to top loaders and everything in between,” says Joassin. “The value added with Kalmar and SmartPort are in the modules and software that we add, as those are what empower the operators and the operation of the terminals.”

As local regulations and port authorities are increasing their policy guidelines, SmartPort is a natural solution for meeting modern-day regulatory requirements. It seamlessly tracks every truck, vehicle, load and container as they enter and exit the yard or terminal.

The value added with Kalmar and SmartPort are in the modules and software that we add, as those are what empower the operators and the operation of the terminals.

SmartPort features evolve with input from Kalmar customers

While working alongside customers, Kalmar is committed to ensuring SmartPort modules continue to meet their needs. This means constantly talking with and supporting customers to ensure they get the most from SmartPort’s modules and using that customer feedback to make adjustments and improve the solution.

“We view Kalmar’s relationship with our customers as a partnership,” says Joassin. “While they’re the ones that are keeping their systems functioning, our support experts are there if there is a problem and to take feedback, which has allowed us to evolve some of our SmartPort’s modules and features so that we’re providing them with the latest features to support their container management.”

Kalmar’s team of experts supports customers throughout the entire SmartPort integration, from a collaborative onboarding process to providing guidance and advice around possible future upgrades and configuration updates they may need.

Get in touch to learn more about how Kalmar can help with your operation’s automation strategy.