– Rapid detection of stacking or alignment issues and prevention of accidents are expected. –

Busan Port Authority stated on March 15 that it developed a technology that monitors container stacking and alignment status in real-time and automatically analyzes safety based on AI. BPA developed the technology to prevent safety accidents and applied for a patent on March 15.

Currently, terminal operators of Busan Port store their containers in yards by stacking them in multiple layers. If a gust or a strong wind blows while the upper and lower containers are not properly aligned, there is a possibility of safety accidents, such as containers collapsing.

The technology uses intelligent CCTVs and lidar sensors to record corner casting* near the upper and lower containers. Moreover, AI learning methods, such as deep learning, are used to automatically classify and notify the safety status of Normal (green), Dangerous (yellow), and Very Dangerous (red).

*Corner Casting: A component used to support the upper container’s load and integrate a container with other containers when transporting on a trailer, loading on a ship, or stacking at a yard.

With the technology, it would be possible to detect any issues in container stacking or alignment status immediately and respond rapidly, preventing safety accidents.

BPA plans to prepare a safety standard system for container loading as soon as the monitoring technology is adopted. Europe has a safety standard for container stacking, which stipulates misalignment of up to 25mm in width and 35mm in length is allowed. However, there is no clear standard in Korean ports.

The technology was developed through the Artificial Unmanned Automation Smart Logistics System R&D project jointly supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Innopolis Foundation) and Busan Metropolitan City (Busan Institute of Industrial Science and Innovation) and led by BPA.

It is considered a representative collaboration case between the central and local governments and a public company to strengthen port safety.

BPA plans to develop container stacking monitoring equipment using the technology within this year and install them on port vehicles, such as yard tractors and port patrol cars. The Authority will also conduct real-time tests to establish a safety monitoring system for cargo stacking.

BPA CEO Kang Joon-suk said, “BPA will strengthen policy cooperation with the central and local governments and enhance R&D functions to make Busan Port safer and more advanced. We will also do our best to introduce innovative technologies rapidly.”