Truck and Track Summer 2021

Truck and Track Summer 2021 www.truckandtrack.com 60 PORTS BT and Associated British Ports (ABP) are trialling the next generation of Internet of Things (IoT) and sensor technology to speed up the movement and processing of cargo goods and digitise the Port of Ipswich’s logistics and operations processes. ABP and BT have installed IoT devices on cranes and transport equipment, which are used for the safe and efficient collection and transportation of cargoes across the port. The data generated by BT’s IoT solution are captured, analysed and visualised on BT’s Intelligent Asset platformtomake theunloadingand transportation of cargoes more efficient – in near real time. The solution interprets the data from a wide range of port equipment, providing a record of time, travel distance, routes taken, and weight of goods unloaded. The information is then automatically sent to port management, allowing them to track the progress of the ship-to-shore operations. This allows the Port of Ipswich operational team to make rapid, data-drivenmanagement decisions, and facilitate more collaborative decision-making with customers, making the best use of resources and assets to meet customer demand. In addition to tracking the movement of assets, the data collected from BT’s IoT solution also monitors periods of inactivity, underutilisation, and maintenance requirements. For instance, the dataprovidesbetterunderstandingof theresourcingofcranedrivers and uses that analysis to reduce costs as well as greenhouse gases. Cranes are used more when downtime is assessed accurately, and resources can be flexibly deployed to reduce periods of inactivity. The solution also gathers insights such as how often the equipment is being used, and how much distance they have covered. This provides an accurate view of maintenance requirements for plant equipment and machinery. Dean Terry, Managing Director, Corporate and Public Sector, BT’s Enterprise unit, said: “It’s fantastic to see the early success of our partnership with ABP as we support their ambitions for the Port of Ipswich to become a leading smart port. In deploying our IoT solution, we’re able to help produce intelligent, actionable insights to support the teams on the ground to monitor equipment in real-time, and make instant, autonomous decisions to speed up the supply chain. This is made possible by combining our award-winning 4G EE network with our deep expertise in sensor technology, network infrastructure and supply chains.” Andrew Harston, Region Director, Wales and Short Sea Ports, Associated British Ports, said: “The trial with BT is an exciting step in the Port of Ipswich’s journey to becoming a smart port. The data generated by the Internet of Things solution gives the team in Ipswich the power to manage our resources and assets more effectively, improving our productivity and reducing our costs. Ultimately this trial will help us to provide even better customer service.” BT and ABP’s Port of Ipswich trial IoT solution to digitise port operations BT deploys its Intelligent Asset platform across the Port Forth Ports, Scotland’s largest ports operator and owner of seven Scottish ports on the east coast, has intimated to the Scottish Government that it will submit a proposal for a Green Port encompassing key ports, industrial complexes and logistics centres along the north and south shores of the Firth of Forth and at Edinburgh Airport. The Scottish Government has invited expressions of interest for the creation of a Green Port, which is a large, zoned area with a defined boundary within which operators and businesses can benefit from a package of financial and customs incentives which can attract inward investment. Subject to sight of the Scottish Government’s full Green Ports prospectus, Forth Ports, which has been a port operator for over 50 years, proposes that the Firth of Forth Green Port will encompass strategic locations along the Forth Estuary, including Grangemouth (home to Scotland’s Freight Hub and principal petrochemical cluster) and the Port of Leith, where Forth Ports announced in May that it plans to create a £40 million renewable energy hub. Fife and the City of Edinburgh are also expected to feature in Forth Ports’ Green Ports bid. Forth Ports are currently evaluating sites in Fife along the North Shore of the Firth of Forth. Edinburgh Airport is also expected to feature for its international connectivity. Each of these locations is uniquely placed to deliver on all the objectives of the proposed Green Ports policy. Forth Ports, supported by Edinburgh City Council, Falkirk Council and Fife Council, believes that the Firth of Forth Green Port will play a major role in Scotland’s recovery from Covid-19 and accelerate the country’s transition to meeting net zero targets, by providing investment incentives, with a long-term positive impact on Scotland’s economic growth. Charles Hammond OBE, Group Chief Executive of Forth Ports, said: “Our interest in creating a Firth of Forth Green Port is underpinned by our belief in the government policy behind it to create economic zones for investment and regeneration and we are committed to supporting the development of this Green Port policy. “The Firth of Forth, spanning fromCentral Scotland to the country’s east coast, is the critical engine for Scotland’s economic recovery. The creation of the Firth of Forth Green Port will encourage greater inclusive growth, fair work practices and help deliver Scotland’s net zero economy. “We are starting to see investment and regeneration benefits since theThames Freeport announcement earlier this year andwebelieve it is as important that Scotland’s main industrial and business area sees similar benefits in a similar timescale. This would support the transition to net zero and, at the same time, create good quality green industrial employment.” Firth of Forth Proposed as Scotland’s Green Port TRUCK & TRAILER SOLUTIONS WELCOME TO ALLPORTS GROUP allportsgroup.co.uk Vehicle Graphics External Signage Covid-19 H & S Signage Promotional Signage