EUROGATE and ICT Logistics Collaborate on Terminal Equipment Control System in Germany

en.Wedoany.com Reported - European port operator EUROGATE and ICT Logistics have announced a strategic partnership to jointly design and implement a next-generation equipment control system. Based on ICT Logistics' SmartECS solution, the system is capable of centrally managing automated terminal equipment from multiple manufacturers in a vendor-independent environment.

SmartECS will operate as a central platform for coordinating and optimizing terminal processes and equipment, integrating with EUROGATE's terminal operating system and its operateMyBox scheduler to coordinate communication between ship-to-shore cranes, automated stacking cranes, and automated terminal trucks. Automated terminal trucks are a key element of the project, with both parties planning to use these vehicles for autonomous horizontal container transport at EUROGATE's terminals in Germany.

The core of this collaboration lies in creating an open, interoperable platform. EUROGATE has chosen ICT Logistics to develop a platform capable of connecting different planning and scheduling systems. SmartECS can interface with commercial systems, in-house developed systems, and automated equipment from various manufacturers, while also connecting EUROGATE's operateMyBox planning system with terminal yard operating equipment. JP Broekgaarden, Business Development Manager at ICT Logistics, stated that SmartECS fosters innovation between equipment suppliers and terminal operators by providing a robust, vendor-independent bridge between automated equipment and the terminal operating system.

The two parties will combine their respective technical and operational expertise to jointly develop the solution. Michael Blach, Chairman of the Executive Board of the EUROGATE Group, stated that this partnership reflects the company's long-term commitment to open, scalable terminal technology. Joseph Collins, Head of Automation at the EUROGATE Group, noted that successful terminal automation depends on close coordination between operations, automation systems, and software platforms, and that the collaborative approach between ICT Logistics and EUROGATE's automation and IT teams helps reduce integration complexity and supports scalable, vendor-independent operations. The two parties will develop a terminal concept in which horizontal transport operations are performed by automated terminal trucks.

Under the arrangement, ICT Logistics will independently develop SmartECS as a set of core components that can be extended according to customer-specific functions, and will be responsible for managing the complete product lifecycle, including requirements, system architecture, development, testing, and maintenance. The platform runs on Kubernetes and uses industry-standard interfaces based on TIC4.0 and MQTT, with the ability to convert vendor-specific protocols as needed. Karim Henkens, CEO of ICT Group, stated that this partnership demonstrates how deep domain expertise and advanced software engineering can help terminal operators achieve reliable, future-proof operations, laying the foundation for collaborative, scalable integration and long-term innovation across the entire terminal ecosystem through SmartECS.