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Did you know that over 60% of container terminal operators cite system integration as their biggest challenge when implementing automation? This statistic from the 2024 FERNRIDE report on Automation and Digital Innovation in Port Logistics highlights the complexity, potential cost, and extra dependencies that arise when connecting modern automation technologies with legacy systems. The difficulty lies not only in aligning the new tools with old processes, but also in managing multiple vendors, custom adaptations, and ongoing maintenance requirements, often with no room to pause daily operations.
FERNRIDE has developed a structured approach to enable terminals to incorporate automated horizontal transport into their operations with minimal disruption to daily workflows. The following sections explain how FERNRIDE connects with existing IT systems, operates safely in mixed traffic, and scales deployment through a phased approach.
FERNRIDE’s system can connect to one or multiple terminal IT systems to improve operational flow. The core focus is integration with the Terminal Operating System (TOS) to handle task management, although additional connections (e.g. equipment control systems or maintenance and diagnostics platforms) can be included.
The exact integration path depends both on the TOS brand, and how the terminal decides to leverage FERNRIDE’s Management Suite and FERNRIDE-enabled ATTs.
TOS interaction modes include:
Any of these approaches must be supported by the TOS provider, meaning they must offer a suitable integration interface for FERNRIDE to connect with. In practice, the FERNRIDE stack is largely built-agnostic, but may require configuration to reflect the terminal’s specific business rules.
FERNRIDE’s ATTs operate within mixed-traffic environments alongside manual vehicles, cranes, and other equipment. In some initial deployments, particularly in busy or unusually complex layouts, terminals may choose to introduce temporary lane separation as an extra precaution. However, FERNRIDE’s advanced safety systems enable the ATTs to operate in regular traffic without requiring dedicated lanes, even from day one.
Vehicle perception relies on 360-degree cameras, radars, and LiDARs to detect changes in the environment, enabling fast decision-making and the ability to adjust routes based on conditions. This capability ensures safe coexistence with existing traffic, minimizing operational disruptions and downtime when integrating new autonomous vehicles into busy terminal operations.
The challenges of integrating new technologies, as highlighted in the report, often stem from the reliance on legacy systems, high initial costs, and workforce adaptation. FERNRIDE tackles these challenges with a phased deployment model:
Throughout all phases, FERNRIDE provides continuous monitoring, as well as on-site and remote support, so any technical or operational issues can be identified and resolved quickly.
Before handing over operations, FERNRIDE ensures that the customer’s staff are fully trained and confident in operating the fleet independently, giving them the assurance to take full control.
By refining each step before scaling, terminals avoid large upfront costs and limit new dependencies, addressing two of the biggest pain points in adopting automation. This incremental process also reduces the likelihood of extended downtime if any issues emerge.
Implementing FERNRIDE’s solution involves straightforward implementation steps, each designed to keep the technical footprint as light as possible:
Keeping the technical footprint minimal helps terminals control costs and simplifies integration with existing systems, ensuring that new dependencies remain manageable.
Human-assisted autonomy pairs autonomous vehicles managing routine tasks with remote human oversight for exception handling. This approach reduces the risk of unforeseen operational disruptions during early integration and builds trust in the technology, particularly in the initial deployment phases. By coordinating with the terminal’s dispatcher teams, remote operators can break down or reassign tasks, ensuring the system adapts to changing operational needs. This oversight particularly helps reduce unexpected disruptions during integration, tackling one of the major concerns about unplanned downtime.
Trained operators intervene only when necessary, allowing the system to operate independently under normal conditions, and giving staff time to become acquainted with the system, ensuring gradual and confident transition to fully autonomous operations.
For many terminals, automation is no longer a question of if but how. System integration remains one of the biggest hurdles, and overcoming it requires the right technical approach and operational strategy. FERNRIDE’s phased deployment model, and focus on collaborative integration with existing terminal systems, provides a reliable path forward. By addressing integration pain points directly, terminals can transition to autonomous horizontal transport with minimal risk, and maximum control.