Splash247: ABB rolls out AI-powered quay crane automation solution

Published by Splash247

Swiss technology giant ABB has launched a new automation platform aimed at reducing manual intervention in quay crane operations and improving productivity at container terminals.

The new Waterside Automation system is designed to automate a larger share of ship-to-shore crane activities over the vessel, one of the few remaining areas in container terminal operations still heavily dependent on human operators.

Container terminals around the world have spent years automating yard operations, stacking systems and gate processes, but quay cranes continue to rely largely on manual handling during container loading and discharge.

ABB said its new solution combines sensors, data analytics and artificial intelligence to automate lifting and positioning tasks while adapting in real time to vessel movements, weather conditions and container positioning.

The system integrates vision-based and movement-based sensor technologies with AI-driven operational controls, allowing cranes to carry out handling cycles more consistently and with fewer interruptions.

A major feature of the platform is the ability to separate operators from individual cranes. Instead of manually controlling each crane during difficult container pick-up and set-down operations, operators can supervise several cranes remotely from an office-based control environment.

The approach opens the door for so-called quay crane pooling, where operators oversee multiple units simultaneously, giving terminals greater workforce flexibility while reducing reliance on continuous manual control.

ABB said the system also integrates exception handling, optical character recognition, stowage confirmation and digital work instructions into a single coordinated platform, reducing the need for repeated manual verification during cargo operations.

The company sees the technology as part of a gradual shift towards autonomous crane operations rather than a fully immediate replacement of operators.

Thomas Kumm, global technology manager for ports at ABB’s marine and ports division, said the solution was designed to support a step-by-step transition toward higher levels of automation.

“ABB, as a system integrator, is in a unique position to deliver this solution and facilitate a stepwise transition towards autonomous quay crane operations,” Kumm said.

The company noted that while AI and sensor technologies are already widely used in semi-autonomous transport systems and other industrial applications, adapting them to container terminals required additional development focused on vessel motion, changing environmental conditions and operational safety.

The launch comes as ports face growing pressure to improve schedule reliability, speed up vessel turnaround times and manage larger cargo volumes with limited labour resources.

Automation has increasingly become a key focus area for major global container terminals, particularly in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, where operators are looking to improve productivity while also addressing labour shortages and operational consistency.