Huawei eyes port business with new system

Huawei technologies has set its targets on sea and inland ports with a new system designed to enhance their operational efficiency. Known as an Intelligent Horizontal Transport System for ports and harbors, the technology has been achieved by unification of data sharing using smart technologies including the latest 5G, cloud computing, big data and Internet of things.

The new technology is designed to simplify the running of modern ports such as Mombasa which has a new container terminal built at a cost of USD 280 million, have increasingly grown complex in their set up, customer requirements, regulatory compliance and number of cranes and vehicles using the facility.

“Ports are where cargo begins and ends its journey. They must operate every single day and delays in any part of the process of arrivals and departures, shoreside operations, horizontal transport, yard and gate operations and tractor trailer transport can result in enormous financial loss,” Jiang Kaimin, senior marketing expert at Huawei’s customs and port business, said in a statement sent from the firm.

With the introduction of an intelligent horizontal transport system, the ports will resolve the disadvantages of existing systems, with autonomous vehicles travelling multiple paths through the port complex, safely and efficiently. Using the system, precision positioning will allow for 90% of berth cranes to successfully align on the first try, maximizing time and operational efficiency.

Jiang’ Kaimin added that increased use of 5G, AI and AR technologies in the scenario-based solutions such as those introduced by Huawei are designed to improve the portside operations and assist in the overall integration of transport nodes into and out of ports.

Kenya Ports Authority’s master plan projects total cargo throughput to increase to 61.4 million dead weight tonnage (DWTs) in 2027, 111.3 million in DWTs in 2037 and 188.0 million DWTs in 2047. Likewise, for Lamu, it is predicted demand will steadily increase from an initial volume of about 1.5 million tons annually in 2022 to 14 million tons per annum in 2027, 38 million tons per annum in 2037 and 76 million tons annually in 2047.

According to Huawei, Kenya’s ports are among several that are currently eyeing digitization as one of their routes to increasing their efficiency and thus cargo throughput as the entire African continent gears up for an increase in cargo shipment due to rising regional and global trade. With 90% of Africa’s imports and exports travels by sea, the aim is to have an environment with fully connected road, rail, air and port models to position African port operations at the forefront of smart, safe and sustainable hubs for the export and import of goods.

“Even as they invest in expanding port infrastructure to alleviate congestion and delay, which adds a lot to the trade costs, African governments need simultaneously to consider digitisation for the operational aspects of port management,” said Jiang’.