Kaleris, a global supplier of supply chain execution software, has introduced a suite of Advanced Optimization solutions designed to enhance the efficiency of container terminal operations. According to the company, these new solutions integrate with its existing N4 terminal operating system and aim to optimise scheduling and dispatch for manned and automated rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) as well as terminal trucks. The vendor claims that these improvements enable faster job assignments, shorter equipment cycle times, and safer working environments, allowing terminals to boost productivity without expanding their fleet.
Scott Holland, Chief Product Officer at Kaleris, emphasised that container terminals have experienced a 30% increase in cargo volumes over the past decade, with yards operating at closer to full capacity. He argued that these changes make real-time optimisation essential to minimise inefficiencies such as idle time and unnecessary movements. “Terminals require solutions that reduce waiting times and eliminate waste so they can provide superior service without new equipment,” Holland said.
Several operators adopting Kaleris’s solutions report significant gains. Malta Freeport Terminals, a key transshipment hub handling nearly 3 million TEUs in 2024, has been utilising Kaleris’s RTG Optimization (RTG-O) system. Its Chief Transformation Officer, Dr Hein Chetcuti, noted that dispatching consistency is critical for success in complex operations involving multiple cranes and hundreds of terminal tractors. He credited RTG-O with enabling more intelligent workflows across yard blocks, improving vessel processing speeds while maintaining safety standards.
Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Malaysia, the country’s largest transshipment port, has been an early adopter and pioneer in deploying both RTG-O and the newer Terminal Truck Optimization (TT-O) systems. The port saw truck job assignments speed up by 44% and a 13% reduction in truck cycle times, helping set a new record with nearly 15,000 quayside moves in a single 12-hour shift. Within two months of adopting the optimization technologies, PTP reported a 14% uplift in truck productivity, a 20% increase in laden truck travel, and reductions in crane waiting times and fuel consumption.
Joe Schofield, Chief Operations Officer at PTP, described the combined use of RTG-O and TT-O as a powerful synergy enabling precise resource planning and operational decision-making. He highlighted that real-time visibility across waterside and landside equipment through the N4 system minimised downtime and maximised productivity. This integration reportedly allowed the port to bolster service levels and operational efficiency simultaneously.
However, it is worth noting that while Kaleris and its clients report these substantial improvements, independent verification of claimed metrics remains limited in publicly available sources. Furthermore, industry observers recognise that such technological advancements tend to require parallel investments in skilled personnel and infrastructure adaptations to fully realise anticipated gains. The success also appears linked to broader digital transformation efforts; for example, PTP received an industry award recognising its holistic approach to innovation including integration of predictive analytics and real-time monitoring tools alongside the terminal operating system enhancements.
Additional context from PTP’s wider operational strategy, such as recently signing a deal to acquire electrified rubber-tyred gantry cranes, reflects a commitment to sustainability and handling capacity growth that complements technology upgrades. Likewise, the smooth rollout of Kaleris’s latest N4 version at PTP, involving extensive crane operations during go-live, underscores the port’s emphasis on operational resilience amid change.
Overall, Kaleris’s Advanced Optimization solutions represent a significant evolution in terminal execution technology, aiming to help operators manage rising cargo volumes and operational complexity more effectively. The deployments at Malta Freeport and Port of Tanjung Pelepas illustrate the potential benefits, but broader industry adoption and longer-term performance data will provide clearer insight into their impact on shipping logistics globally.
Source: Noah Wire Services
