How Container OCR Technology is Revolutionizing Port Operations

Ruchir Kakkad

CEO & Co-founder

How Container OCR Technology is Revolutionizing Port Operations

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The global port industry is nothing short of an economic powerhouse. It supports countless businesses and industries globally and has an estimated worth of trillions of dollars, annually.

So how does a typical busy port look like? It’s a complex ecosystem with massive cranes, trucks trying to meet deadlines and workers keeping track of those innumerable containers. As you can imagine, things often get messy- containers go missing, shipments get delayed, and paperwork keeps accumulating. As a fact, ports end up losing 15% of their productivity due to errors in manual tracking. This challenge has plagued the industry for a long time.

But things change with Optical Character Recognition (OCR), a specialized application of Computer Vision that’s already transforming industries. OCR technology changes the way ports operate and makes tracking containers fast, accurate and easy. It can cut down processing time by 50% and reduce errors by up to 80%.

With this blog, let’s explore how implementing container OCR in ports can make the operations more efficient, reliable and cost effective. Let’s begin by understanding the technology.

Understanding Container OCR Technology

Container OCR reads and interprets the alphanumeric codes on the shipping containers. It takes the image or video of the code and translates it into text. Thus, there is no need of manual entries, human errors get eliminated and operations get a boost.

OCR process:

OCR is not limited to just container numbers, it can

  • identify trucks, trailers and rail wagons
  • read number plates
  • track security seals
  • label hazardous materials

Thus, OCR can enhance the traffic flow within ports, minimize delays, avoid bottlenecks, while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

How OCR Enhances Efficiency in Port Operations

Faster identification of containers means quicker turnaround time, faster loading and unloading of ships, and an overall increase in productivity. According to a report from the Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA), after adopting container OCR, ports have reduced terminal gate processing times by up to 50%.

Let us tell you what happens beyond the gates. The automation of equipment and container identification boosts yard operations, dock handling and intermodal rail connections. One of the biggest European port integrated OCR in terminal operating systems and enjoyed a 30% increase in their throughput.

OCR also gives you better visibility across the logistics chain. You get real-time data on container movements, allowing more transparency among decision-makers and stakeholders.

Integration with AI and ML for Advanced Automation

This was just cargo management OCR. What if we integrate AI/ML to cargo management OCR? AI & ML are often utilized for their ‘predictive’ capabilities, and they can do the same at ports. An AI-driven OCR system can analyze patterns in container data to identify risks and anticipate issues before they arise. For example, identification of unusual shipping routes.

AI has the ability to recognize and classify goods as dangerous from their code. Automated identification of hazardous materials can eliminate errors and enhance safety. This is even more important for environments where containers hold flammable or toxic substances.

While fully automated AI-powered ports haven’t been a reality yet, many ports have already adopted a system that’s a blend of traditional operations and AI-enhanced technologies. With just a portion being automated with AI & OCR, these ports have noted a reduction in operations costs by 25 to 30%.

OCR’s Role in Safety and Security

We’ve talked about the integration of AI/ML with cargo management OCR for enhancing the safety of port operations. But one of OCR container tracking solution’s standout benefits is its ability to prevent cargo theft and unauthorized handling.

It enables ports to quickly identify discrepancies such as unauthorized access to containers and tampered security seals. A major port in U.S. with OCR container tracking solution saw a 30% reduction in cargo theft incidents. This is important not only for protecting goods, but also for strengthening trust between port operators and shipping companies.

Several European ports with OCR technology continuously monitor their container movements. Their staff gets alerted in real time when a container moves out without proper clearance, or if there’s a mismatch between the identification code and its reported contents.

As the number of ports utilizing OCR technology is on a rise, new use cases of OCR port operations with AI/ML around safety will also come up.

Cost Benefits and ROI

With the elimination of manual entry, errors are reduced to a great extent and time is saved. As a result, beyond handling repetitive tasks, resources can be utilized better for more strategic roles, which enhances their productivity. As a matter of fact, it has been observed that semi-automated systems can return substantial improvements in efficiency, without requiring a full-scale automation overhaul.

Thus, the financial benefits of OCR port operations are evident, they lead to a reduction in operational costs. According to a PEMA report, terminals with integrated OCR have reported notable decrease in their operational expenses.

Choosing the right tech – OCR vs. RFID and Blockchain

OCR is mainly used for reading and interpreting texts from images; it’s a good choice for container codes. It’s a simple technology that is cost-effective and can be integrated into the existing setup too.

RFID is generally used for real-time tracking and identification of objects. It can be used alongside OCR for an even more comprehensive solution.

Blockchain boasts a high level of security, transparency and traceability, particularly useful in management of complex supply chains that also deal with strict regulations.

Choosing the right technology depends on a number of factors:

  • Level of automation: If you’re looking for high-end automation, the port would require a combination of RFID and OCR for real-time tracking and data capture.
  • Security requirements: If it involves a lot of sensitive data or numerous regulations to be complied with, Blockchain is your choice.
  • Cost and complexity: The cost and complexity of implementation should also be weighed against the benefits that you receive.

Challenges and the Future of OCR in Ports

While the benefits of integrating OCR in port operations are quite evident, in reality, the adoption rate tells a different story. Today, only 1% of the world’s ports are fully automated. The reasons for such less adoption comes down to the major financial and operational challenges faced in adopting full automation. The extensive hardware installation and upgrades in infrastructure sound like a really challenging task, especially for smaller ports.

However, this is not the complete story, at least not of the future. The rapid advancements in technology like AI are opening doors for more cost-effective alternatives to traditional OCR setups. Meaning, by leveraging ML algorithms and advanced image processing techniques, ports can automate operations without the need for extensive physical infrastructure updates.

Similarly, AI-driven OCR systems can use the existing camera networks for capturing and processing images and videos. Thus, at least the initial investment requirements would be comparatively lower. With this flexibility in the picture, ports can slowly scale their operations with time.

Conclusion

OCR is transforming ports by improving the efficiency, safety and profitability in their operations. Automation in container identification and tracking leads to minimized errors, streamlined processes and improved transparency across the logistics chain. It directly translates into faster decision-making, turnaround times and boosts productivity.

Moreover, OCR enhances safety protocols through real-time monitoring of container integrity and the secure handling of hazardous materials. This proactive approach not only mitigates risks but also builds trust among stakeholders in the logistics ecosystem.

Today, adopting OCR technology is more than an operational upgrade for the ports. It’s just a strategic stepping-stone toward full automation. For quite some time, the maritime industry has been on top of embracing new technologies. Implementing OCR in their operations would pave way for a more connected, efficient and profitable future.

WebOccult offers a cutting-edge approach to automate text extraction from images and documents with OCR. We’ve helped numerous industry leaders streamline your operations, reduce costs, and improve overall accuracy with AI-powered OCR. Contact us today to learn more about how our OCR solutions can transform your business

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