APS Technology Provides Total Terminal Automation Solutions for New TCBuen Terminal in Colombia

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- APS Technology Group, Inc., a leading provider of optical character recognition (OCR) and process automation technology solutions for marine and intermodal terminals, announced the award of a terminal-wide automation solutions project for the Terminal de Contenedores de Buenaventura (TCBuen) in Buenaventura, Colombia.  The latest terminal development from global operator TCB of Barcelona, TCBuen is a $250M investment for the first phase of four expected stages, and represents only the second major port on Colombia's Pacific coast.  

APS is the prime contractor managing the turnkey project which will include its full Automated Gate System, STS Crane OCR and its MatchMaker tractor identification solutions for both the STS and RTG cranes.  Also included in the project will be two APS software solutions, X-Clerk and SureStow, as well as a real-time container inventory and Position Determination System (PDS) from Identec Solutions.

APS is responsible for the entire terminal automation project, including the design, hardware, software and services to install and maintain the solution over five years.  TCBuen is relying on APS and its OCR automation solutions given the terminal goals of operating a highly secure and productive operation on a very small terminal footprint.  

"TCBuen has a vision to become the premier container facility in the region by combining operational best practices and automation technology wherever possible," said TCB's project director Victor Munoz.  "The APS Technology solutions reduce the need for manual intervention at the terminal, increasing data accuracy, productivity and throughput capacity while greatly reducing our risk of smuggling, theft and injuries."

The Buenaventura port is a strategic enclave for the international shipping lines.  It is located near the Panama Canal, midway between North and South America, and demand on the port is expected to increase with the Panama Canal expansion project.  Set to open in January of 2011, the first year capacity of TCBuen will equal 260,000 TEUs, increasing the total capacity of the Buenaventura port by 30%.  

About TCBuen

TCBuen is owned by Spain's leading port terminal operator, Grup TCB. Grup TCB operates 13 port terminals and four rail terminals worldwide with over 3.3 million TEUs throughput per year. Grup TCB is a well-known, benchmark company in the global shipping industry managing container terminals in Europe, Americas and Asia Pacific regions.

Currently, Grup TCB is implementing an ambitious international expansion program that will allow the company to develop new projects and add new terminals to its portfolio.  The project is in collaboration with the most important shipping companies in the world, and reinforces its image as a leading global container terminal operator.

For more information, visit our website www.tcbuen.com and www.gruptcb.com.

About APS Technology Group

APS Technology Group is a leading provider of OCR and automation technology solutions for marine and intermodal terminals.  The solutions improve the productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness of container operations by increasing the visibility, velocity, and volume of cargo moving through a terminal's gate, rail, vessel and yard operations.

APS leads the industry with over 700 OCR and automation systems installed at 39 marine and intermodal container terminals in 14 countries around the world, including APM Terminals, CSX Railroad, and HHLA.  The company is located in San Diego, CA and has offices or partner resellers in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. For more information, call +1 858.571.4444 or visit http://www.aps-technology.com.

SOURCE APS Technology Group, Inc.