Blog

23rd September 2022

Busy summer for our 5G team

The summer holidays have not stopped our 5G project moving forward.

In August we welcomed Canscan as they flew in from Canada to review our container handling operation.  Canscan develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions that use existing infrastructure to optimise container handling processes.

We are extremely proud of our turnaround times within the container depot at the Port but we never rest on our laurels and always looking to improve even more.

Canscan and BT spent the full day onsite with our container team exploring the different aspects of the operations from vessel discharge through to out-gating.  We spent the morning in the yard watching the operations in action from the gantry crane unloading the containers at the quayside, and taking a ride in the reach stackers as the containers where put away and picked from the stacks.

Using the 5G connectivity and integrating it with the AI platform and the CCTV systems will speed up processing times by limiting inspections to exceptions only, as well as aiding with the identification of damages and safety issues much earlier, helping to keep our colleagues safe and well.

There are also opportunities around automating the gate activities as checks can be automated and streamlined, and linking with our new digital dock exit pass system we can remove paper based processes the business as part of our “paperless port” vision.

September saw the visit of the BT technical team.  Through discussions with our infrastructure and engineering teams we have now agreed the location of our 26m main 5G mast which together with the 10 smaller antenna will give full site wide connectivity to our south bank estate. 

We should see shovels in the ground in the next couple of weeks to supply the power and data to the primary site enabling the Port of Tyne as a 5G ready port by the end of 2022.

If you would like more information, get in touch!