In response to increasing barge congestion and delays spurred by the increasing number of mega-ships, the Port of Rotterdam Authority, in collaboration with Barge Terminal Tilburg and Certus Port Automation (a manufacturer of container identification and monitoring systems), have initiated a three-month pilot container scanning project that will leverage an innovative mobile optical character recognition (OCR) device as it scans incoming cargo. This system will be the first of its kind deployed at the Barge Terminal Tilburg. The Port of Rotterdam will levy a ‘modest fee’ for this process.
“All trucks that arrive or depart from the inland Barge Terminal Tilburg over the next three months will pass through a newly developed portal that scans trucks for registration numbers and the containers for container numbers.” This pilot will preemptively provide images so that a container’s status on arrival and departure from the terminal can be examined, expediting the time it takes to determine whether the container can be transferred for further transport. This new container scanning system will also “reduce manual labor work at the terminal, making operations more accurate”, ultimately increasing the efficiency of the logistics chain.
Pioneers in Port Technology
The Port of Rotterdam and Dutch Customs have been at the forefront of container scanning technologies in recent years. For example, Dutch Customs were early adopters of L3 Security and Detection Systems’ Common Viewer software system. The system, known as ‘CV2’, allows for various data sources; such as cargo inspection images and other security sensors, to be integrated into one common interface to be used by customs or other border management and security officials. CV2 can integrate non-intrusive inspection (NII) images and other sensors from equipment made by any manufacturer, in any location, and display them in any networked location across the world. This allows for superior risk management, enhanced workflow efficiency, reduced costs, and more efficient training.
The ability to network all types of: biometric sensors, x-ray scanners, radiation detection, container number and license plate readers, closed-circuit television, and other existing databases- and remotely review them from any networked location in the world- has potential to revolutionize border management and security operations. The system also allows for plug-in detection algorithms that can be added and customized to identify specific threats. The system is currently being piloted in the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at select port locations.
Port Authorities are increasingly turning to container scanning technology solutions, such as CV2, to expediate the flow of container processing and increase the security and efficiency of the logistics and supply chain. If you’d like more information on this story or on cargo scanning technologies follow CT Strategies on Twitter.
