Kalmar, part of Cargotec, and PSA Sines have worked intensively together on a trial of semi-automation technology for rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes at PSA Sines Container Terminal in Portugal. The terminal has piloted with one remote control (RC) desk and has placed an order for seven further desks to operate their latest fleet of 11 Kalmar RTGs, delivered earlier this year.

PSA Sines is the largest container terminal in Portugal, with ongoing capacity expansion planned to cater to the increasing operational requirements of customers.

The terminal's existing 11 Kalmar E-One² RTGs are installed with fibre optics cable reel, and with Kalmar anti-sway technology they experience necessary load stability and control during remote operation. They benefit from the Kalmar SmartRail automated steering solution utilising GPS and Glonass satellite navigation, as well as the Kalmar SmartStack real time automated inventory reporting and management. Additional remote control upgrades to be introduced will further improve operational performance.

Tommi Pettersson, Vice President Automation at Kalmar, said: "We are delighted to be able to support PSA Sines in their expansion and to work together to implement this remote control technology on the new RTGs. Once the semi-automation is deployed, we expect it to provide measurable improvements in productivity and efficiencies."