APS Technology Wins Ports America Vessel and Gate Automation Project in Baltimore, MD

SAN DIEGO, June 6, 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 multi-phased automation project for Ports America Chesapeake Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore, MD.  The APS solutions will automate critical functions in conjunction with the out-gate, in-gate and STS crane operations to improve efficiency, safety and reduce operating costs.

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Ports America chose APS to automate the container identification process at its entry and exit gates and vessel operations with the collection of high-resolution images to increase throughput and enable remote equipment inspections.  Images will be archived for later retrieval. The implementation of APS solutions is part of a larger initiative for Ports America Chesapeake to optimize operational efficiency and improve customer service.  Recent projects include an off-dock chassis facility, berth expansion and purchase of four new STS cranes.

APS has existing OCR solutions with Ports America, and the company chose to expand its APS solution with the addition of a new lane with OCR at the out-gate, adding OCR to eight lanes at its entry gates and outfitting both with damage inspection components.  APS will supply the X-Clerk Gate Operating System to enable remote clerks to review damage inspection images captured at the portals.  

The Vessel Automation Systems include STS Crane OCR, patented MatchMaker STS Tractor ID system and SureStow solutions on each of the eleven STS cranes to automatically identify the container being loaded/discharged, the associated yard tractor as well as the final vessel stowage position of the container move.  The APS X-Clerk Exception Handling System will enable remote resolution of OCR misreads, stowage exceptions and MatchMaker errors.  All solutions will be fully integrated with Navis Sparcs and Navis Express.

About Ports America

Ports America, headquartered in Iselin, N.J., is the largest independent marine terminal operator in North America, providing terminal management and a full suite of stevedoring and related services. For further information on Ports America, please visit its Web site: www.portsamerica.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.