Accurate, Easy To Use Asset Management System

With this RFID solution, the asset management of your port and harbor operations can be done simply by having an employee walk through the area while holding a handheld computer with an RFID reader, which tracks the tagged assets.

What This System Tracks

Our RFID system can track all port and harbor operation assets including:

• Rail-mounted stacking cranes
• Rubber tyre stacking cranes
• Quay cranes
• Straddle carrier
• Reachstacker
• Dockyard cranes
• Material handling technology
• Unloaders – screw unloaders and continuous ship unloaders
• All other assets port and harbor operations may utilize

An employee can track the assets by holding a handheld RFID reader within range of the RFID tags, which are attached to the assets.

The GAO RFID Port and Harbor Operations Asset Management System can be scaled to fit the needs of ports and harbors of various sizes that conduct small-scale or large-scale operations.

The Port and Harbor Operations Industry

Ports, usually seaports, are areas where ships are docked to unload and load cargo. A port could be small-scale, comprising of some wharves, or it could be a large-scale complex. Many ports across the world play a major role in operating as a connect or a link between sea and land transport to successfully conduct overseas trade operations and also oftentimes for distribution in domestic contexts, ports and harbors act as significant links. These operations largely fall under commercial port and harbor operations. In addition to this, there are also recreational operations that take place in ports and harbors.

Shipping operations in harbors and ports broadly constitute either cargo operations or vessel operations. Vessel operations involve ship management duties of which a significant aspect is the voyage planning operations. Scheduling future cruises also falls under vessel operations. Under this, a lot of training also takes place where ship operators and small boat operators are trained. Another significant operation is the maintenance of commercial vessels that can take place in ports, or even dry docks, at times. Cargo operations make use of a larger number of assets, such as heavy cranes, that are used to load and unload cargo from merchant ships. Many items like food, chemicals, machinery and military vehicles are carried in cargo vessels. As is the case for commercial operations, there are many harbors dedicated for recreational operations and activities which include sailing, recreational fishing, water skiing, rowing, power boating, cruising, etcetera.

A large number of ports are implementing more use of mobile harbor cranes, which makes cargo handling more efficient. Mobile harbor cranes can lift heavier cargo and achieve greater distances. A significant trend for port and harbor operations, and one that has gained in traction in recent years, is to implement a more environmentally conscious approach. For instance, many ports have, over the years, continuously upgraded the quality of reachstakers that they use so as to ensure minimum noise pollution, especially in cases where they must be mindful of nearby cities. Wildlife can also often be affected by the noise generated through cargo operations, which is why many aim to reduce the negative impact they have on the environment. Similarly, there is a greater awareness of other ways in which such operations can harm the environment, for instance, dry cargo can cause the production of dust, liquid cargo may lead to leaks that pollute the sea and in many cases chemicals that are being transported can be extremely toxic for marine life. Therefore, there is a greater awareness to take precautions in order to avoid such situations and to maximise environmental safety.