Maher Terminals: Enhancing Port Operations Using Nokia Edge
Maher Terminals is enhancing its operations through the implementation of Nokia Edge and private wireless.
As one of the busiest terminal operators in North America, Maher Terminals requires reliable, real-time data in order to boost efficiency.
Nokia and Future Technologies Venture are providing such data with their new wireless connectivity and devices.
Meeting demand
Maher Terminals operates a 450-acre marine container terminal in Port Elizabeth, within the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey complex.
It acts as a vital link in movement of cargo containers, working as economically as possible to help customers compete in the global marketplace.
Every year, Maher Terminals loads and unloads two million containers for its shipping line customers. As customer demand grows, it is branching out to streamline operations, working to optimise efficiency through the implementation of technology.
The business has formed an important new partnership with Nokia to introduce real-time data and analytics to operations, ensuring fluidity and accuracy throughout the terminal.
Laura Markham, CIO of Maher Terminals, says: “We chose the Nokia solution to enhance our wireless connectivity, security and scalability to improve our equipment’s network reliability and communications, as well as providing superior connectivity options as we deploy advanced cargo handling and identification capabilities.
"The private wireless aspects also helped us meet our cybersecurity objectives in securing port operations."
Operational efficiency with Nokia
Nokia and its partner Future Technologies Venture (FTV) are implementing the Nokia Edge platform in order to provide technological solutions at the terminal.
Thanks to private wireless connectivity, devices and applications, providing real-time data and analytics, Maher is able to increase the effectiveness of terminal operations, while securing yard management, crane management and gate operations.
Given the various moving parts involved in port efficiency, finding a solution that ensures the smooth running of operations is vital. Maher also needed security and reliability, delivered by high-bandwidth and low-latency wireless connectivity solutions.
Nokia provides all of this in one platform, with the help of FTV, a North American specialist offering end-to-end network solutions for manufacturing, energy, transportation, military and government sectors.
It works to enable critical infrastructure to companies, with expertise in Private 5G, fixed wireless, Wi-Fi and AI.
With Nokia's technology and FTV's solutions expertise, the terminal is experiencing a major operational overhaul, simplifying processes and making them more efficient.
“We are proud to partner with Nokia to deliver a turnkey solution for Maher Terminals," adds Peter Cappiello, CEO of Future Technologies Venture LLC. "As a leading provider of IT solutions and services, we understand the needs and challenges of the transportation and logistics industry."
"We selected the Nokia Edge platform and related solutions because they scale and can flexibly support a wide range of use cases and applications for our customers."
Digitalising supply chains
The Nokia Edge platform includes Nokia DAC (Digital Automation Cloud), which offers reliable private wireless connectivity and provides business critical reliability with seamless mobility.
It also provides MX Industrial Edge (MXIE), which has the ability to leverage a variety of applications in order to create intelligent shop floor operations and allows data sharing across the company. When used in the terminal, this will help workers across the 450-acre space have a full understanding of processes.
The platform also includes ruggedised industrial devices, Nokia Industrial device management and Network Digital Twin.
“We are excited to collaborate with Future Technologies Venture and deploy a platform that will help Maher Terminals achieve its business and sustainability goals," says David de Lancellotti, Vice President of Enterprise Campus Edge Sales at Nokia.
"With our Edge platform for industries that integrates devices, edge computing, applications and private wireless connectivity, Maher Terminals will enhance their operational efficiency and visibility across their port operations."
The Nokia Industrial devices will connect people and devices, such as straddle carriers, to the network to enable the smooth transferring of data and communication. Through these devices, upgrades and configuration can happen remotely, meaning a reduction in delays when updating software.
Maher Terminals will be able to use Nokia Network Digital Twin to make better, more detailed plans through the devices' live telemetry, which continuously validates high-bandwidth and low-latency wireless connectivity.
Through the implementation of Nokia's products and the expertise of Future Technologies, Maher Terminals looks set to enjoy heightened levels of operational efficiency in its day-to-day processes, helping it to securely meet customer demand.
