Terminal automation is one of the largest and least reversible decisions a port operator makes. It is also frequently justified against a baseline that understates how much capacity existing assets could deliver.
Start with a loss tree
In our experience, a structured view of crane downtime, yard re-handles and gate delays reveals recoverable capacity worth years of volume growth. That changes both the timing and the design of any automation programme.
Automating a poorly planned yard simply produces a faster poorly planned yard.
We set out a twelve-week approach that terminals can use to build an evidence base before committing capital.
