APM Terminals confirmed that its new Vado Gateway terminal, located in the Vado Ligure Port Complex, North Western Italy, will be inaugurated on 12 December 2019. Once operational, the Vado Gateway Terminal will be fully integrated with the existing Vado Ligure Reefer Terminal.
Vado Ligure will become the first semi-automated port in Italy with a fully-automated gate and stacking yard. The 700m deep-sea berth at Vado Gateway will be able of handling the latest Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) and up to 1.1 mln TEUs per annum.
A new off-dock rail facility for both port terminals will provide quick access to central and northern Europe, as well as regions in Northern Italy. The facility has the capacity for 14 trains per day.
During August, the final Ship-to-Shore cranes will be installed, and various tests will be performed. Each of the four cranes is more than 90 meters in height and weighs about 1,800 tons. They have a horizontal reach of 23 rows of containers, a maximum 65-ton capacity in twin lift configuration and 100 tons ‘under hook’.
The terminal will operate an automated yard in Italy using 14 Automatic Rail Mounted Gantry Cranes. The operator will intervene from a remote-control room only when needed. Access to the automated forecourt will only be possible for maintenance activities when the cranes are not operating.
Moreover, containers arriving at the Vado Gateway will be recorded using dynamic video cameras installed on quay cranes (STS). These will automatically send the information to the terminal’s operating system.
In addition, last month, APM Terminal Vado Ligure replaced their current Terminal Operating System (TOS) with Navis 4, to support the Vado Gateway Terminal as well as enhancing the terminal’s operational efficiency. This operating system is fully integrated with all the other equipment and enables real-time container tracking.
As for containers, they will be transported around the terminal using hybrid Straddle Carriers. Exchange areas within the terminal are equipped with cameras and sensors which, in case of non-compliance with safety regulations, will trigger an alarm mechanism and block further operations.
Once completed, the Vado Ligure Port complex will be accessible through 14 reversible gate lanes. Maximum efficiency and short truck-turn-times of around 30 minutes will be achieved using a truck appointment system which is fully integrated with Terminal Operating System.
