From May 2022 until the end of the first half of February, a test of a 5G network dedicated to optimising cargo management took place at the Port of Aveiro. Currently, the location and inspection of items, the monitoring of the warehouse and the decision of what to ship and how, is still dependent on the human factor, a scenario that is about to end. This experience, which had already been implemented at the port of Livorno (Italy), highlighted how automating processes makes cargo management more predictive and efficient, all based on 5G.
By the end of 2022, the Port of Aveiro had handled 5.772 million tonnes of cargo. The tests carried out showed the following results:
10% decrease in the unloading delay time of each ship;
10% increase in the number of items unloaded per hour;
8% reduction in forklift truck use time;
14% improvement in the time that elapses from the time the cargo is registered on the quay to its subsequent correct stowage in the warehouse.
This testing period was developed only in one of the warehouses of the Port, based on the daily activity of Aveiport and PTM Ibérica operators. For the proof of concept, a private 5G standalone network was set up (by Vodafone and Ericsson), 2 indoor and one outdoor antennas, 14 high-definition cameras, as well as the use of expert systems and tablets with augmented reality.
The employees involved had the opportunity to enjoy the "digital twin", a digital replica of the terminal in real time (information obtained through cargo information and respective plan, freights, etc.), which through algorithms dedicated to logistics organisation and positioning software, allowed simulations to be made of full cargo operations, checking freights and their position, being able to define the best strategy for the operation, even before it takes place.
