PSA picks Inform’s terminal scheduling software for Port of Antwerp upgrade

30 May 2023

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Port operator PSA has selected Inform’s Integrated Terminal Scheduler (ITS) to optimise the move schedules for its quay cranes, straddle carriers, and automated stacking cranes during the upgrade of the Port of Antwerp’s Europa Terminal.

The software will be launched in 2026 and fed by PSA Antwerp’s in-house terminal operation system (TOS).

With one-third of the terminal due to be out of service at any one time during the refurbishment, ITS will keep the terminal operational when organising the yard will be much more challenging due to the reduced space.

Alex Van Winckel, director strategic relations and sales at Inform’s Terminal & Distribution Center Logistics Division, said: “As the terminal will remain operational during the transition, our solution must cater for hybrid operations to maintain a high level of services across the project.”

Dr. Eva Savelsberg, senior vice president at Inform’s Terminal & Distribution Center Logistics Division, added: “We are optimisation specialists. It’s our core business, and we bring a wealth of experience from across the industry and from very similar projects we’ve been running successfully at other terminals. We are therefore confident that our ITS will be able to help optimise moves at Europa Terminal.

“In addition, we’re very excited about our innovative roadmap for our optimisation solutions. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what our algorithms can achieve as well as exploring new technologies like machine learning where we’ve seen great results for our customers.”

Inform will also provide the control room user interface at the Europa Terminal, which will provide PSA Belgium operational transparency.

PSA and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges began on a significant upgrade of the Europa Terminal on the right bank of the river Scheldt in November 2022.

German AI and optimisation specialist Inform’s software is said to facilitate improved decision-making. Based in Aachen, Germany, the company has been in the optimisation business for 50 years and serves a wide span of logistics industries including ports, maritime, and intermodal terminals with both add-on optimisation modules as well as TOS solutions.

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