ICTSI Ecuador Unit Adopts OCR Technology

Contecon Guayaquil S.A. (CGSA), a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) operating the Guayaquil Container and Multipurpose Terminals (GCMT) in Ecuador, recently rolled out optical character recognition technology (OCR) to step up the automation of its quay crane (QC) fleet.

ICTSI tapped San Diego, California-based APS Technology Group, Inc. in the implementation of the OCR technology. ICTSI’s flagship Manila International Container Terminal was the first in the Group to adapt the technology. Aside from MICT and CGSA, ICTSI subsidiary in Brazil, Tecon Suape SA, is also set to implement the technology at the Suape Container Terminal in Pernambuco province.

QCs equipped with OCR devices automatically identify containers improving data accuracy, throughput and security while decreasing overall operating costs. CGSA uses APS Matchmaker System to automatically associate containers to terminal- owned trucks during hand-off, allowing for work assignment and confirmation without manual intervention.

“Using the APS solution with our new weight capture system has improved our productivity and processing time significantly. Several time-consuming manual steps have been removed from the process, so throughput is faster and provides a much safer environment,” Jaime Guazhco, CGSA project manager, said.

In addition to the OCR, CGSA has implemented a spreader based system for container weight capture, automatically collecting information in real time, and improving container processing times. All data from the combined solution is fully integrated to the Navis Sparcs TOS.

With the addition of the OCR and weight capture system, CGSA has created easy steps for customers while improving processing time and productivity.

CGSA is a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) a leading port management company involved in the operations and development of 23 marine terminals and port projects in 17 countries worldwide. ICTSI was among the first international terminal operators to take its expertise overseas.

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Source: ICTSI, April 13, 2012