ICTSI partners with IGO-Avlino to launch AI driven Yard Management Solution
Manila, Mar 17, 2021: International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), a leading global port operator and management company headquartered in Manila, Philippines, announced today the successful live implementation of an AI-powered operational optimization tool at its flagship terminal, the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT).
The solution, YardSight, is part of a larger AI Solution Suite - AiCON, developed by Avlino, a New Jersey-based AI and digital transformation company, in partnership with IGO Solutions, a UK-based leading solutions provider for container terminals.
“The YardSight AI module, in its current form, provides logic for the most efficient stacking positions based on optimal work balancing of our rubber tired gantries (RTGs). This results into increased productivity for internal and external trucks, reduced traffic clashes, and minimized yard rehandles when stacking import containers. We are closely working together to expand the application into dynamic allocation of CHE ranges and focusing efficiencies for the export yard cycle for internal/external trucks in the coming months as well. We are already seeing very encouraging signs that this new approach can deliver significant efficiencies to equipment utilization and truck turnaround time, which will be passed on to our customers to further support ICTSI’s conscious effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emission,” said Anders Dommestrup, MICT CEO and Executive Director.
He adds: “The AiCON Solution Suite has ushered in a real paradigm shift on how we can better manage end-to-end container terminal operations. YardSight’s adaptability to changing operational metrics within its code has actually helped bridge the gap between operational business fundamentals and technology. It has also enhanced our operation team’s interest in technology and the IT team’s interest in operational realities even further, the result of which benefits the entire business as we journey towards various degrees of automation.”
YardSight performs capacity optimization, throughput management, and yard space maximization. Leveraging real-time and historical operational data from internal and external sources, the AI application adapts to the current state and responds back to users with intelligent work directives based on the transformative conditions.
“The partnership with ICTSI has been instrumental in shaping YardSight,” said Ramana Jampala, founding CEO of Avlino. “Real-time planning that responds to external dynamic conditions is a real game-changer for terminal operators. Adopters of YardSight will find that they are equipped to tackle the challenges of constriction, congestion, and high re-handle counts. YardSight manages the entire yard operation by optimizing the TOS and enhancing resources through advanced ML/AI technologies delivered through smart solution engineering, developed in partnership with IGO’s automation expertise. More importantly, the Solution incorporates directly into ICTISI’s existing business process, where AI controls workflows to tighten operational expenses while increasing profit margins. It is truly a win-win scenario.”
IGO Solutions, having long-standing expertise in automated container terminal operations, restated the message: “When we started to recommend autonomous operations to our clients three years ago, we realized a significant gap in the AI solutions landscape. Avlino’s AI technology filled that gap perfectly,” said Jayesh Pandya, co-founder of IGO Solutions. “Very few container terminals have taken a holistic approach to adopting AI solutions, and ICTSI initiated this journey as a pioneer. IGO Solutions and Avlino partnered to deliver solutions with a potential to realize high ROI for ICTSI.”
