APM Terminals has rolled out its public 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network at its facility in Apapa, the West Africa’s largest container terminal, to enhance operational efficiency and productivity.
4G LTE is a standard-based network that uses radio equipment to service the terminal’s applications and ensure that services can be tailored to process a very high volume of data messages with minimal delay. The base station allows it to be independent of traffic peaks in the wider network.
According to the company, wireless connectivity supports APM Terminals’ global initiatives such as the standardisation of Terminal Operating Systems, reporting and support; Asset Digitalisation; and GPS based Position Detection Systems used for auto-locating containers in terminal yard.
Meanwhile, a secure virtual private network (VPN) tunnel is used as an encryption mechanism to segregate APM Terminals data from general carrier data to ensure compliance with the company’s global security requirements.
Also, the new 4G LTE connectivity solution, which has already been tested and rolled out at other APM Terminals locations, meets ground level coverage and performance requirements in the entire yard with three dedicated sectors for APM Terminals and limited infrastructure deployment at terminal.
“In recent years, APM Terminals Apapa has embarked on massive digitisation of its operations and services. This is in keeping with APM Terminals’ global transformation drive. Our customers can expect greater efficiency and higher productivity with the deployment of the 4G wireless network, as it will allow for better collaboration in our terminal operations,” said Klaus Laursen, country manager of APM Terminals Nigeria.
According to Laursen, the 4G network will also improve wireless coverage in the yard for roaming container handling equipment (CHE), eliminate loss of critical Terminal Operating Systems updates, ensure real time tracking of container handling equipment and improve safety for terminal employees.
“It is an optimised, standardised, cost effective, and security compliant industrial wireless connectivity solution. The 4G LTE network is also scalable to meet future terminal requirements. Ultimately, customers will benefit from improved operations especially truck turnaround time, terminal efficiency and stability,” he said.
Recall that APM Terminals Apapa recently acquired new cranes as part of an investment of USD80 million for the year 2020-2021, bringing the total investment by the company in Apapa since 2006 to USD438 million. This is the highest investment by any private terminal operator in Nigeria.
The investment has resulted in significant improvements in productivity, with zero waiting time for vessel berthing and a doubling of container volume.
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