APM Terminals Barcelona implements a new fleet management system with automatic weighing

As part of APM Terminals' strategy to modernise its fleet, increasing the capacity and productivity of the equipment, APM Terminals Barcelona has installed a new fleet management and automatic weighing system in the 29 Straddle Carrier (SC) cranes recently acquired by the company, meaning the system is now installed in the entire SC fleet of the terminal.

According to the terminal managers “Thanks to this commitment to innovation and operational optimisation, we can offer a better VGM (Verified Gross Mass) service, considerably increasing our operational capacity in terms of container weighing”.

The weighing system, developed and patented by the terminal, is certified by APPLUS (with ENAC accreditation) complying with the SOLAS requirement (International Convention for the Safety of Human Life at Sea launched by the International Maritime Organization and which refers to the weight certifications of the containers).

Five times more accurate than regulatory requirements

This revolutionary system makes it possible to read the weights of the containers while they are being moved without needing to halt operations, thus eliminating downtimes for weighing, while providing an accuracy five times higher than that required by SOLAS. Furthermore, the DGPS technology included in the fleet management system allows real-time determination of the exact position of the machines and the location of the containers within the terminal, facilitating the traceability of operations.

With these latest investments implemented (in addition to the 29 Straddle Carriers (SC) acquired, the terminal added two Super Post Panamax cranes to its fleet, to reach a total of 5 SPPX cranes in operation, and launched a new rack platform for connecting reefer containers), APM Terminals Barcelona is strengthening its position as a benchmark in the maritime business, offering one of the best productivity levels in the Mediterranean region, with a supply of latest generation machines, state-of-the-art technology, and a customer-focused service geared towards the highest levels of excellence.