In a significant milestone in its collaboration with German industrial engineering specialist SMS group, Dubai-based Emirati multinational logistics company, DP World completed the first 10,000 container moves under the BoxBay joint venture in its high bay store system at Jebel Ali port.
The achievement is a testament to the JV’s use of disruptive technology which not only works but spearheads dramatic changes to the way containers are handled in ports around the world.
DP World had completed the construction of a test facility with 792 containers in the 4th Terminal of Jebel Ali Port in July 2020.
With its patented automated container handling system that stores containers up to eleven stories high in steel racks, BoxBay significantly reduces (up to 70 percent) the footprint of terminals allowing more than three times the capacity of a conventional yard.
The automatic system is designed in such a way that any container can be accessed individually without moving any other. The traditional method stacks containers one-on-top-of-other in rows requiring the movement of top containers to access lower ones. The BoxBay unit is also self-sufficient as it is fully electrified and powered by solar panels on its roof.
Sultan bin Sulayem Chairman & CEO DP World Group
“The completion of the first 10,000 moves demonstrates that the BoxBay concept works in the real world. This technology has the potential to revolutionize how ports and terminals operate around the world. BoxBay adds value for our operations and customers and demonstrates DP World’s strengths as a global provider of smart and innovative logistics solutions”.
Sharing his insights about the joint venture, Mr. Mathias Dobner, Chairman and CEO of BoxBay, stated that “We have been making great progress in setting up the system in Terminal 4. Usually, when setting up a new plant or system, you first have to run practical tests to find out where further optimization will be needed – especially, when the system you are building is the very first one of its type, as is the case with BoxBay.”
“In order to enhance the reliability of the technology, we have been thoroughly analyzing the information collected by our warehouse management system. These were immense amounts of data. But they enabled us to make adjustments continuously wherever necessary. BoxBay has set out to revolutionize global supply chains,” the BoxBay CEO added.
SMS Group had initially developed the BoxBay technology for handling metal coils that weigh as much as 50 tonnes in racks as high as 50 meters. The system will be demonstrated to the public during Expo 2020 in Dubai in October.
