PEMA heads interactive seminar debates on technology trends in container handling at TOC Americas event

PEMA will host several seminars at the upcoming TOC Container Supply Chain Americas exhibition held in Panama, December 4-6, where leading ports and terminals, equipment and technology suppliers will gather to discuss the future of container handling across the Americas.

This year’s 12^th TOC Americas gets underway with a PEMA-hosted forum that comprehensively explores the latest developments in terminal equipment and technology. This is the sixth fast-paced interview-style forum that PEMA has held in recent years. It is a unique opportunity for attendees to ask direct questions to the world’s top terminal handling equipment suppliers. These interactive, unscripted sessions generate active debate and substantive discussions.

Moderated by veteran port technology journalist Paul Avery, Associate Editor at World Cargo News, the morning opens with two panels on the topic of safety: one focusing on equipment and human safety, the other on container weighing. Speakers in the Equipment & Human Safety Panel include PEMA Safety Committee Vice Chairman Stephan Stiehler and Laurence Jones of the TT Club and ICHCA International.

PEMA has recently cooperated with ICHCA and TT Club to develop extensive new best practice recommendations for container yard equipment safety, due for imminent release by the three organisations.

Also during the morning, issues surrounding the application of advanced technology and IT in container terminals will be covered in three separate panel discussions on Automated Container Handling, Process Automation & Control and Application Software, featuring international suppliers of container handling equipment and automation technology, plus high level software for terminal operations planning and optimisation.

In the afternoon, the Forum turns to sustainability and equipment, with particular focus on emerging technologies to reduce operating costs and environmental impact while improving operational efficiencies. A panel on The Trend to Electrification will delve into the growing new-build and retrofit electrification of RTG container yard cranes, plus adoption of “cold ironing” at the berth. A second session on Energy & Environmental Efficiency will look at other issues including terminal lighting and hybrid technology/alternative fuels for mobile handling equipment.

The final section of the Forum includes two panels on Handling Equipment & Vehicle Technology and Asset Lifecycle Management & Optimisation. Panel members will explore how terminals can maximize asset utilization and lifetime value through adoption of latest technologies, and offer practical advice on issues such as inspection and maintenance regimes.

The PEMA Forum runs from 10:00-16:30 and all sessions are free to attend for all attendees.