Digital twin for container terminal management

Avlino Inc., a New Jersey-based AI and company, went live with its YardSight application this month at the Manila International Cargo Terminal (MICT) in the Philippines, operated by port management company International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI).

Developed in partnership with IGO Solutions, a UK based leading provider in container terminal solutions (founded by Rajan Regarajan and Jayesh Pandya), YardSight uses a digital twin based on real-time states within the yard, gate, and berth.

The application uses data about operations, transactions and equipment to feed self-learning models that adapt to the changing circumstances in terminal operations. YardSight integrates with numerous of Terminal Operating Systems as well as varying operating configurations including fully automated terminals.

“Real-time planning that responds to volatile conditions is a game changer in terminal operations,” said Ramana Jampala, founding CEO of Avlino.

“YardSight users will find that they are equipped to tackle the challenges of constriction, congestion, and high rehandling counts. The application manages the entire yard operation by optimizing TOS and enhancing resources through advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence.”

“When we started to recommend autonomous operations to our clients three years ago, we realized a significant gap in the AI solutions landscape. Avlino’s technology filled that gap perfectly,” said Jayesh Pandya, co-founder of IGO Solutions.

“Very few container terminals have taken a holistic approach to adopting AI solutions, and ICTSI pioneered this journey. IGO Solutions and Avlino partnered to deliver solutions with a potential to realize high ROI for ICTSI.”

Anders Dommestrup, MICT CEO and executive director, said the software provides the most efficient stacking positions for containers, and balances the workflow for the terminal’s rubber-tired gantries (RTGs).

“This results in increased productivity for internal and external trucks, reduced traffic clashes and minimized yard rehandles when stacking import containers,” he said.

“We are already seeing very encouraging signs that this new approach can deliver significant efficiencies to equipment utilization and truck turn time, which will be passed on to our customers to further support ICTSI’s conscious effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.”