SOLVO Installs Automatic Refrigerator Container Monitoring System at Container Terminal Saint Petersburg

In the spring of 2014, Container Terminal Saint Petersburg (CTSP) launched its automatic reefer monitoring system. This consists of equipment and software from Emerson Refcon, integrated with Solvo.TOS container terminal operating system. Solvo, the leading Russian systems integrator in the field of logistics, has successfully completed the given turnkey project in tandem with partner Emerson Climate Technologies - Transport Solution.

Automated management of the Reefer Yard

Management of the reefer yard is the basic function of all state-of-the-art terminal operating systems. The given functionality can be included in the basic version of the system or can be realized in the form of a separate add-on module. In any case, it must automate at least three main processes which distinguish the reefer container storage zone from the other zones at the container terminal – connecting reefers to the power supply, disconnecting reefers and carrying out scheduled container monitoring

Information about the required temperature for the reefer container is sent from the management system based on documents (bills of lading, waybills, truck visit requests), which are automatically loaded via the electronic data interchange module Solvo.EDI or entered by the forwarders through the Solvo.Web portal.

When the container is at the terminal, the management system will issue tasks to the reefer mechanics to connect, disconnect and monitor the containers.

The automation of these processes makes it possible to avoid problems with connecting reefers to the power supply, prevent power-cord disruptions, and reduce load-loss due to scheduled monitoring. Container terminal managers can receive information about the reefer yard and reefer mechanic performance via the Solvo.TOS user interface at their work station or remotely in the browser window via the internet.

Reefer mechanic tasks are issued either in paper format with subsequent recording of task completion via the work station, or in electronic format at the data capture terminals. Theses DC terminals can work in batch mode by being connected to the work station or in real time where data is sent over WiFi, GPRS. As seen in previous Solvo projects including CTSP, reefer mechanics typically work with the latter DC type radio data terminals (RDT).

However, even with all of the advantages of having automated reefer container processing, shortfalls still exist. This includes, for example, delayed detection of damage or an incorrect temperature mode set for reefers as well as human error.

Automatic reefer monitoring systems

Besides raising the reefer processing efficiency, the removal of negative influences from the automated process scheme will, among other advantages, make it possible to implement a fully-automated reefer monitoring system. These systems can be divided into two classes: systems whose equipment requires separate connections to the reefer container, and systems that do not require any additional actions other than a full-time connection of the container to the power supply.