(With video and infographic) ABB has released a video showing the first remotely operated STS cranes without a driver’s cabin in operation at APM Terminals Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

ABB is the first company in the world to develop a solution that enables crane operators to leave the confines of the cabin and operate the crane remotely from a specially designed control room that can be situated anywhere on the terminal.

Automation Features

The key to this breakthrough are the smart automation features in the crane systems. These features run the loading and unloading process automatically, under the supervision of crane operators located in a remote control room. This minimises loading and unloading cycle times by bringing consistency – in speed, efficiency and precision – to crane operations. And, it provides the operators with the most ergonomic working environment possible.

Panama, Rotterdam and Dubai

ABB piloted the world’s first remotely controlled STS crane in Panama in December 2010. Shortly after in 2012, ABB received three orders from the largest container terminals in Europe and the Middle East – from two terminals at the Maasvlakte 2 extension at the Port of Rotterdam, and from the new Jebel Ali T3 container terminal in Dubai.

The STS cranes at Maasvlakte 2 are equipped with ABB remotely operated crane systems, a total of 41 cranes that started production in April 2015.

The video and infographic below show this advanced crane operation (all by ABB).

Picture (top): APM terminal by night – Prinses Amaliahaven – Maasvlakte 2 – Port of Rotterdam (by Frans Berkelaar).