New Automated Radiation Scan for Port of Los Angeles Terminal

Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has been awarded a contract for the integration of the controls for the new rail mounted gantry (RMG) cranes at the intermodal yard of TraPac Inc's terminal at the Port of Los Angeles. The RMGs will be supplied to TraPac by Paceco with the Kalmar Terminal Logistic System ensuring they are integrated in the automated operations. TLS is part of the Kalmar SmartPort equipment automation portfolio.

The intermodal yard is a substantial part of the terminal, with 30 percent of the TEUs shipped inland by rail. To ensure that the containers can be scanned for radiation before they leave the yard by train, TraPac and Kalmar designed a conveyor solution to facilitate the movement of containers through the radiation scanner prior to being loaded on the rail cars. As part of the process, a Kalmar automated straddle carrier loads a container on the conveyor to allow for scanning, after which it takes the container to the train or an inspection area depending on the result of the scan. The conveyor is designed and delivered by Kalmar, with the automated controls being part of Kalmar SmartPort.

The Kalmar Terminal Logistic System is a flexible, equipment independent automation platform capable of supporting different types of equipment. At TraPac the system will integrate the automated stacking cranes, the automated straddle carrier operations, the RMGs and the conveyor in the intermodal yard. Kalmar acts as the system integrator of the terminal, providing a single integrated terminal automation system.

Jorma Tirkkonen, Senior Vice President, Automation at Kalmar says: "The fact that we are able to support various types of equipment, both built by Kalmar and third parties, is a demonstration of the sound architecture of our automation solutions. This enables a full focus on the requirements of the application unrestricted by technical characteristics when working together with TraPac to establish solutions specific to its processes."

TraPac's automated straddle carriers will dray containers directly from the quay to the intermodal yard. Kalmar's automation software accommodates the interface between the cranes, straddles and conveyor, ensuring that the containers can be loaded onto the rail cars automatically. The remote control operation of the RMGs is enabled through the same remote control desks as used for the automated stacking crane operations. Remote monitoring is provided via the graphical user interface of the Terminal Logistic System.

In addition to the Terminal Logistic System, Kalmar SmartPort equipment automation solutions include automated shuttle carriers, automated straddle carriers and the automated lashing platform.  Kalmar SmartPort solutions drive greater efficiencies through process and equipment automation, resulting in lower overall operational costs, improved safety and better equipment availability. Equipment automation solutions are designed to drive the greatest equipment efficiency in the business at the lowest possible operational cost.