Global Ports Forum

 

Dear industry colleagues

2nd GPF Executive Workshop on Use of Automated Guided Vehicles and drones in Ports and Terminals, 13-14 Dec 2024, Singapore.

Key learning outcomes

Main learning outcomes will be an understanding the latest trend and technologies in terminal operations. How full automation of the yard cranes and quay cranes combined together with AGVs and drones to make the container terminal an automated terminal, without drivers.

Review of developments in:

• Shipping trends and its impact on ports
• Issues facing port and terminal operators
• Understand the port operations processes
• Understand the various factors that can improve efficiency
• Appraise the impact of cranes and technology on productivity

Learn how technology plays a major role for success of port development and management

Discuss how technology affects terminal design and strategic development

Learn how to develop a technology masterplan and implement a successful plan

Understand in detail the various technologies and IT applications and how to apply them

Apply what has been learnt through case studies and exercises

About the course

Today’s ports and terminals cannot run without technology as it cannot serve the customers effectively. With this in mind,  this 2-day course is aimed at providing a deep understanding of the subject matter. However, participants of this course need not be practitioners of IT or engineering as it covers the applications of technology and how it is used to improve efficiency in the port. It will commence with an analysis of current shipping trends that affects port development and operations. It will highlight the issues on terminal operations and delve into the various technologies that will uplift the productivity of the port and lead to more efficiency. Participants will understand in detail the various technologies and IT applications and how to apply them. They will also learn how to align technology to the business strategy, develop a technology masterplan, discuss the issues in implementation and strategies to implement a successful plan. Practical examples on applications in big and small ports will be given so that participants will have a better understanding. Throughout the sessions, real-life examples will be given on big and small ports and discussed in detail. This will include PSA, MPA, Portek International, Gabon, Algeria, Sri Lanka and a port in Hong Kong. Participants will participate in exercises and analysis and provide solutions to case studies presented.

 

Course outline

Module 1-Understanding shipping trends and port operations

Review of shipping trends, supply chain developments and impact on ports

Why are ports important players in Shipping Logistics

What determines port efficiency

What are the business drivers?

Detailed functions of port operations and terminal operations

Unloading, loading and yard operations

Ship and Yard Planning

Detailed analysis of terminal operations processes

Gate operations and impact on public roads

Interactions of ports with shipping community and international shipping agents and their processes

Customers’ expectations of ports services

Understand the various drivers of port efficiency

Module 2-Use of IT systems to drive the operations processes

 

Why use technology? Differing levels of automation in ports

Why a port must have IT systems before automation

Details of Information Technology Applications will be fully discussed

• Terminal Operations System (TOS)
• Ship Planning System, Berth, Yard and Gate Planning
• Gate automation, Flow through gate- no jams on public roads
• Port Community Systems
• Systems for transhipment containers
• Engineering maintenance systems
• Financial integration with customers
• Making full use of Simulation Systems
• Integration with trade systems and authority systems
• Managers need real time information and integrated databases
• Use of data analytics

Module 3-Automation of cranes

• The use of technology on port cranes to make processes run on their own without manpower
• Overview of Container Terminal Automation
• Understanding sensors that are used for automation such as laser Sensors, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS)
• Automation technologies on Yard Cranes

Anti-collision on container stack, anti-collision on gantry path, Truck positioning system, auto-steering and stack profile

• Automation systems used on Quay Crane

Anti-sway control, anti-collision on container stack, Optimal path of spreader motion, Truck positioning, Smart landing

• Container number recognition
• Crane Control System
• Remote Crane Monitoring System
• Collaboration and monitoring software for control and Surveillance
• Automatic Stacking Crane (ASC)
• Use of Overhead Bridge Cranes in PSA
• Driverless cranes- one man handles 4 crane in control room

 

Module 4-AGVs and Drones

 

What are Autonomous Vehicles?

How are they used in other industries?

What are the main benefits?

AGVs

• Understanding the technologies behind AGV Navigation System
• How do the AGVs know where to go, technologies like laser and magnetic grid and triangulation from reflective targets
• Safety Systems-Laser obstacle detection and Mechanical bumpers
• Vehicle System, Navigation System,
• Communication System, Grid Navigation Systems
• Configuration of AGVs
• Major AGV Manufacturers for Container Terminals
• Benefits of AGV
• Full automation – Use of Automated Guided Vehicles
• Green ports

DRONES

• What are drones? How are they used in other industries?
• Examples will be discussed
• How are they used in ports
• Benefits of using drones in ports
• Future of AGVs and drones

Module 5- How to develop a technology Master Plan

 

Real life examples of these plan will be used for discussion in this module. This will include PSA, MPA, Portek,   Gabon,  Algeria, Sri Lanka and a port in Hong Kong.

Participants will learn how to align technology to the business strategy. The technology masterplan has to be a part of the strategic business plan. The steps involved in developing the Master Plan are as follows:

• Identify the business vision and the business direction of the port

• Performing SWOT Analysis
• Identifying the gaps and doing a GAP analysis
• Identify systems and processes that address the gaps
• Developing a plan that fits the business strategy.
• Assess the impact on operations processes, infrastructure changes
• Impact on human resources deployment
• Assess other technology issues in implementation
• How to perform Requirements for development?
• Testing and implementation issues
• How to convert from existing conventional operations in a brown field terminal to automated terminals
• How to plan for full automation
• Making a report for management approval

Who should attend:

• Port Authorities;
• Chief Financial Officer
• Director (IT) in ports and terminal
• Port / Terminal developers,
• Operations employees
• Staff in ports dealing with productivity and technology matters
• Developers and systems analysts
• Engineering staff from ports
• Port Service providers;
• Shipping Companies,
• Port Consultants;

• Research analysts in port / transport sector
• International organisations – who involve themselves in port development
• Consultants having functional assignments in ports
• Anyone interested in knowing more about latest technologies in ports

About the Course Director (subject to final confirmation)

Thomas Ng has over 29 years of consulting experience in the ports and shipping industry. Thomas is known for developing innovative solutions for players within the ports & shipping industry, — in areas of investments advisory, port strategy, development, marketing, planning & redesign, customer services and port operations; and delivering superior results.

He is the Executive Chairman of The Global Ports Forum (GPF) since 2008. The Global Ports Forum is a platform where all ports stakeholders in the ecosystem- port customers, port authorities, port operators, port people, port suppliers & service providers are gathered together to discuss about issues furthering the interests of ports globally.

Thomas is well-respected in the ports & shipping circles — recognized for his in-depth industry knowledge and far-reaching personal industry network and linkages. Some of his recent port investments advisory work include ports in the Middle East, Africa, Southern Europe, South East Asia, Latin America, etc.

Given Thomas’ far-reaching personal port industry network and linkages, Thomas is often seek out by port investors and port privatization candidates all over the world for collaborative partnership.

Thomas is invited regularly as speaker & facilitator for Ports conferences, roundtable and executive programs and workshops.

He is the senior port & terminal training expert for the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) for foreign ports officials for over 10 years. Recent programmes conducted by Thomas include the 5 days executive program in “Port Development and Competitiveness”, Singapore on 12-16 Dec 2016 where Thomas was the key trainer for over 60% of the whole executive program. Some other early SCP programmes that Thomas taught over 20 senior foreign government transport officials included the 2 weeks Singapore MFA Executive Programme in Logistics & Distribution Management on 28 Aug – 10 Sep 2007 & again on 6 Oct – 17 Oct 2008.

Thomas spoke recently at the Transport Intelligence Singapore 2013 Infrastructure panel, together with senior executives from the World Bank & UPS, the Container Depot Association Singapore Conference 2014 on ports and infrastructure, Tank Storage Asia Conference in 2015 and an exclusive Roundtable on Smart ports & ships and Internet of Things in Jun 2016.

On a professional level, Thomas founded the non-government voluntary organization — The Global Ports Council (GPC) in 2008.

As of today, over 192 C-level executives globally presents themselves as members of our council. Our prestigious list of Council members are as follows:

The Global Ports Council

Thomas is also a veteran Chartered member (since 2001) of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport Singapore. He served as a Board Member of the Singapore Branch of Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport for over 22 years.

Ng Koon Seng

Mr Ng Koon Seng (FCA Singapore, FCCA UK, FCPA Australia) has over 30 years of experience in a global logistics, ocean freight operations and container transportation conglomerate. He has a wealth of international experience from his career in shipping, global container equipment operation; process Optimization, end to end finance system setup for the shipping business start-up operation, transformation, change management, merger & acquisitions and divestures.

He was engaged by Jurong Port Pte Ltd in year 2014 as a Finance system lead and business process consultant for a Joint Venture start up Port/Terminal project, providing finance IT project management and translate user requirements into solution concept, prepare training manuals specific to each finance processes and setting up the finance organization, Multi-Purpose Port/Terminal billing system and implementation of the real time integrated Enterprise financial full system from scratch through end to end finance process innovation and design, develop innovation and out-of-box solutions, lean and digitize, user & finance-friendly administration, workflow integrated for Marunda Center Terminal – PT. Pelabuhan Tegar Indonesia, the 1st private international & domestic multi-purpose seaport which focusing in General Cargo & Bulk Cargo (dry & liquid) in greater Jakarta area. The port is a joint venture between Marunda Center Industrial Estate (www. marundacenter.com) Indonesia and Jurong Port Pte Ltd (www.jp.com.sg) a leading international multi-purpose port operator in Singapore. The integrated port billing and finance system is up and live in Marundra Center Terminal.

He was also tasked to do research on the Ports in Thailand, training, financial modelling with Activity-based costing Analysis for the Aggregates and sand Terminal project.

Mr Ng spent 25 years of his career with NOL/APL, a world leader in shipping and logistics services with annual turnover of US$8b., holding various senior management positions from liners services, special cargoes, freight forwarding, shipping agencies, manage PSA’s appropriated Berth scheme for shipping consortia to global equipment operation including M&A of APL, lead Post Merger integration and transformation of the NOL/APL global equipment operation, depots, trucking, rail, land and intermodal operation which involved more than US$1.5 Billion worth of operational cost globally. Head of the NOL global equipment management and achieved significant hard core saving per company’s testimonial thru dynamics operational modelling.

Capt Sanjiv Chhibber

Capt Sanjiv Chhibber has 41 years of extensive experience in Senior leadership positions within the maritime and port industry, spanning vital functional areas across the Middle East, Africa and India. He had 17 years of sea-going experience. Capt Chhibber is a Master Mariner with experience in General Management, Port Operations, Business Development, Customer Service and Key Account Management, including Main Lines and Feeder Lines. Proactive maritime/port professional with a process-driven, customer service-oriented and results-focused approach.

Capt Chhibber sailed on board breakbulk and container vessels from 1981 to 1993, out of these eight years in command as Master, sailing mainly in the Red Sea, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and the Far East. From 1993 to 2005 he worked onshore as Pacific International Lines (P.I.L.) (Pte) Ltd. Singapore’s Regional Director – Owners Representative. 1993 till 1998 – Mombasa / Kenya, handling P.I.L.’s Commercial & Operations activities in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mauritius and Comoros Islands. 1996 established P.I.L. (K) Ltd., P.I.L.’s shipping Agency office in Mombasa. 1998 till 2002 – Mumbai In charge of all I.C.D.’s in north India and all ports on the west coast of India. 2002 – 2005 – Dubai, Chhibber handled Operations and Commercial activities of P.I.L. in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf ports, looking after Djibouti, Yemen, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and all ports in the Persian Gulf.

At PIL, Capt Chhibber negotiated terminal agreements & contracts with various port authorities in the region. Monitored the performance of all port agents and sub-agents within the territorial scope. Monitored vessel operations in ports, ensuring quick turnaround. Capt Chhibber expanded PIL’s Business development, new opportunities and service deployments within the region, soliciting and canvassing import and export cargo nominations. Developing reverse marketing strategies, new markets and logistics-related activities. Capt Chhibber represented P.I.L. as Owner’s Representative within various shipping consortium forums and set up a liaison with all major shipping lines. He successfully developed the East Africa trade, whereby volumes tripled since the inception of services.
Customer service was the top priority, and Chhibber provided sales and after-sale services, and all customer complaints were handled efficiently.

From 2005 – 2018, Capt Chhibber held senior Management positions at D.P. World U.A.E Region F.Z.E.

From 2005 to 2012, Commercial department as head of the Customer Service section. Capt Chhibber’s core competency at DPW include shipping Main lines account management, Strategic planning, Port Operations, Customer relationship management, Contract Management, Business Development, Resource planning, Team management, and General management. He reviewed port tariff every two years, and all service charges adjusted to recover the additional cost. 2012 to 2018, Container Terminal Operations Dept, Capt Chhibber oversaw berth and resource planning for all the 3 container terminals and general cargo berths in Jebel Ali. In container terminal operations, his involvement was in improving the efficiency of equipment, cost management, quick turnaround of vessels, efficiency in yard and terminal gates, quick turnaround of outside trucks, and planning to receive and commission new quay cranes and yard equipment.

At D.P. World, Capt Chhibber other responsibilities include – the productivity of quay cranes; yard equipment and vessel performance; Operations Reports for terminal management; carried out Activity-based costing (A.B.C.) of container terminal; Container terminal’s annual budget; yard capacity and equipment requirements; Container terminal commissioning; receiving New terminal equipment and commissioning; container terminal capacity forecast and development of new capacity; Planning yard, quay and berth civil and electrical work maintenance; Allocating container terminals to shipping lines belong to different consortiums; SLA agreement terms negotiated with shipping lines and implementation monitored; Berth windows allocation to different services of shipping lines; Daily berth planning is monitored to ensure terms of SLA achieved. These mentioned responsibilities had given Capt Chhibber extensive experience in container terminal management, strategy, process review, automation of services, and cost control, with top priority given to safety.

16th GPF Anniversary Special. Pay for Two participants, another Two comes free. No other promotion applicable.

Costs:

On or Before 13 Oct 2024 : The ‘Early Bird’ Rate is USD3995 – Save USD800!
Special Offer! – 3 Delegates For The Price of 2 in This Category! Save USD3995!

From 14 Oct 2024: The Regular Rate is USD4795

Special Offer! – 3 Delegates For The Price of 2 in This Category! Save USD4795!

 

Note: All fees stated include luncheons, refreshments and complete set of documentation. It does not include the cost of accommodation and travel.

Register Now!

To register, please submit the following details to thomasng@globalportsforum.com:

Name:
Position:
Organisation:
Address:
Tel:
Fax:
Email:
What Best Describes Your Industry Sector?:

Billing information:

For cheque payments: To be made payable to ‘Global Ports Forum Pte. Ltd.’ Please do not send post-dated cheque.

For telegraphic transfers:

Account Name:             Global Ports Forum Pte. Ltd.,

Account No. :                695 477 141 001.

Beneficiary Bank:          Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited, Singapore. (Swift: OCBCSGSG),

Address : 65 Chulia Street #01-00, OCBC Centre, Singapore 049513.

Please supply confirmation via email of the TT from your bank. Transmitting bank charges must be paid by sender. Please quote both delegate and company name as reference.

Kindly note that as we are providing a special rate for ‘early bird’ sign up, we will need to receive before 13 Oct 2024 to enjoy the discount.

Look forward to welcoming you at the executive workshops/forums.

Kind regards

Thomas Ng

Chairman

The Global Ports Forum

GLOBAL PORTS FORUM PTE. LTD.

10 Anson Road

#18-11

International Plaza

Singapore 079903

Website: www.globalportsforum.com/

Mobile: +65 9684 3289

DID:    +65 65197662

Fax:    +65 6725 8438

Email:  thomasng@globalportsforum.com

Terms & Conditions:

No delegate registration will be accepted without completing registration details and full payment.

Upon receipt of your registration details and full payment, further programme information will be emailed to you including your proforma invoice and, if required, a letter of invitation for entry visa application.

Delegates will not be admitted unless payment has been received in Full.

Flights, Airport Transfers and Accommodation are not included in your delegate registration fee.

Refund Policy – a reimbursement of the registration fee, minus administrative charges will only be made if the participant has notified Global Ports Forum Pte. Ltd. in writing that he/she is unable to attend the event no less than 45 days prior to the commencement of the event. No cancellation is allowed after that, but a replacement with another participant is allowed.

This programme is subject to change without notice, E&O.E