In this paper, we will introduce ACT(Automated Container Terminal) as an alternative plan which will keep and improve the competition of harbors by way of enhancing customer services and the productivity of container terminals. First of all, through the comparison between conventional container terminals and automated container terminals, we will present various characteristics which ACT possesses and worldwide state of development of ACT.
The amount of trade transferred by container among worldwide trade using maritime is continuously increasing (8.4% of annual average). At the same time, the owners of goods are demanding not only various services such as door-to-door and just-in-time but also reduction of distribution expenses. In order to keep up with such a sudden change of shipping environment, international shipping agents tend to extend strategic cooperation among them. Furthermore, they are endeavoring to establish global port networking through high-speed and large-sized vessels for the reduction of time and shipping expense. Worldwide nations are continuously building new ACT based on advanced handling equipments, IT technology and high-tech controlling technology of automation.
With the system of straddle carriers as a general loading and unloading way and transfer cranes(rubber typed gantry crane), it is very difficult to keep up with the change of shipping environment in which competitions are reinforced by way of large-sized vessels and productivity improvement. ACT has been employed as an alternative plan for the cargo handling system since 1991. With loading and unloading systems changed, terminal managers cannot despise the merits of automation. The most recently built new Hamburg CTA(Container Terminal Altenwerder) in Deutsch shows a good example of ACT. CTA is one of the latest with large-scale automation, with advanced container cranes, automated guided vehicles and rail mounted gantry cranes.
