Advances in technology and information management systems have led to the evolution of automated stacking cranes (ASCs) for container handing operations. ASCs have become the current trend in new container yard development because automation increases container yard operational efficiency, improves safety, and can increase container stacking density. While ASCs have several operational advantages over traditional container handling equipment, the civil, electrical, and data infrastructures necessary to support this type of equipment are substantially different. Due to the unique infrastructure needs of an ASC operation, implementation of this technology has been primarily confined to greenfield sites or new terminal redevelopment. As the benefits of ASC operation become more recognized, existing owners of traditional container yards will seek to maintain competitive advantage in the container handling market and introduce automation into existing and fully operational container yards. The purpose of this paper is to highlight some of the major challenges and lessons learned in traditional container yard retrofit for automation through an ASC project completed by Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT) in Manzanillo, Panama.
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