Ministry introduces 'intelligent u-port system'
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The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM) has invested 2.5 billion won to apply the intelligent port automation system on Sinseondae of Busan Port and Dongbu Busan Container Terminal. The system will be tested in March and be operated from June 2009.
The intelligent U-port system is applied with cutting-edge information and telecommunication technologies including RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), GPS (Global Positioning System), and USN (Ubiquitous Sensor Network).
It is composed of:
1. Real-time yard-tractor (RYMS), and multi-cycle system
2. Automation system for arrival and delivery at container terminal gates
3. Dangerous goods container inspection system
Until now, yard tractor drivers received orders to load and unload containers through cell phones. However, the new RYMS multi-cycle system allows them to follow orders shown on monitors installed in the stevedoring site. A main computer will send the direction to drivers who are nearest from sites where loading and unloading is necessary. This system is based on GPS and computer programming, and will cut movement ranges by around 20 percent.
RFID will replace the bar-code method in the automation system on arrival and delivery at container terminal gates. The new system will enhance the visibility of tractor and cargo location, improving logistics efficiency.
In addition, the dangerous goods container inspection system will monitor the temperature, humidity, and impact strength, preventing explosion.
MLTM will designate two additional container terminals during the first half of this year to set up the intelligent port automation system. By 2012, the application will be expanded to 15 container terminals around the country.
When the application of the system is completed for all container terminals, loading and unloading time per ship (50 thousand ton) will be cut by four hours and 25 minutes in average. This will reduce cost, and port time. Its benefits are commensurate to building a new port with a berthing capacity of five large ships at the same time.
The reduction of port time and movement range of yard tractors will cut oil usage of ships and yard tractors and around 170 thousand tons of carbon emissions annually. Furthermore, the automation system will greatly contribute to making Korea's ports green.
