Revolutionizing Marine Freight Operations with 4.9G/LTE Connectivity at Husky Terminal, Port of Tacoma
The seaport and marine freight industry in the USA plays a crucial role in global trade, serving as a gateway for importing and exporting goods. With the increasing volume of trade, seaports are turning to digitalization to enhance operational efficiency and meet the rising demands. Advanced technologies like 4.9G/LTE connectivity are becoming pivotal in optimizing port operations, enabling seamless communication, real-time tracking, and efficient management of resources.
Company Overview: Husky Terminal and Stevedoring, LLC
Husky Terminal and Stevedoring, operating out of the Port of Tacoma, Washington, is a prominent player in the seaport and marine freight industry. Providing container yard, vessel stevedore, and near-dock rail services, Husky Terminal is vital in facilitating global supply chain operations. Spanning over 115 acres, the terminal relies heavily on robust wireless connectivity to maintain smooth operations and track thousands of shipping containers daily.
Project Scope + Objectives
The project initiated by Husky Terminal aimed to replace its unreliable Wi-Fi network with a private 4.9G/LTE network to support its transition to a cloud-based terminal operating system (TOS). The existing Wi-Fi setup, with its frequent disconnections and packet loss, was causing significant productivity issues and revenue losses. Husky Terminal collaborated with Nokia to design and deploy a highly reliable and efficient private wireless network tailored to meet the specific demands of marine freight operations.
Technologies + Solutions Deployed
Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC):
The heart of this project was the implementation of Nokia’s Digital Automation Cloud (DAC), a comprehensive platform offering high-bandwidth, low-latency private networking combined with local edge computing capabilities. The DAC platform supports product development by providing network and user equipment, a cloud-based operation monitoring system, and industrial connectors for seamless protocol connectivity.
Nokia Modular Private Wireless
Elevating seaport connectivity and application capabilities with a 4.9G/LTE and 5G Modular Private Wireless network, suitable for all sizes of industrial sites and field area networks, including both indoor and outdoor settings. If you’re a mobile operator, take advantage of your network operation expertise by utilizing MPW’s distributed architecture to provide enterprises with dedicated, private environments tailored for maritime operations.
Private 4.9G/LTE Network
The deployment of a private 4.9G/LTE network marked a significant upgrade from the previous Wi-Fi system. With only six antennas installed across the container yard, the new network ensured 100% coverage, overcoming the challenges posed by the yard’s extensive metal structures and the high stacking of containers.
Benefits + Outcomes
Enhanced Network Reliability and Coverage
Post-implementation, Husky Terminal achieved unparalleled network reliability with zero packet loss, ensuring continuous connectivity throughout the container yard. This improvement eliminated downtime and significantly boosted operational productivity.
Improved Operational Efficiency
With the new private wireless network, Husky Terminal experienced improved network performance metrics, including accessibility, retainability, and signal quality. This enhancement allowed for seamless tracking and management of shipping containers, leading to faster processing times and increased throughput.
Energy and Cost Savings
The streamlined network infrastructure resulted in a 91% reduction in hardware footprint compared to the previous Wi-Fi system, leading to significant energy savings and reduced operational costs.
IT Resource Optimization
The reliability of the new network system freed the Husky Terminal IT team from constant troubleshooting, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives and further technological advancements.
Husky Terminal has now centered its IT strategy around the robust capabilities of 4.9G/LTE connectivity. The terminal is exploring new use cases and deploying applications to leverage the full potential of the Nokia Mission Critical Industrial Edge (MXIE), integrating with existing Wi-Fi for increased capacity and lower latency. As Husky Terminal embarks on a massive container yard reconfiguration project, it is proactively incorporating 4.9G/LTE solutions, setting the stage for a potential future shift to 5G technology.
The project was successfully executed by Nokia and Husky terminal without channel partner involvement.
Case Summary
Husky Terminal’s successful implementation of a private 4.9G/LTE network by Nokia at the Port of Tacoma represents a significant leap forward in digitalizing marine freight operations. This case study exemplifies how innovative connectivity solutions can transform seaport operations, leading to enhanced efficiency, reduced operational costs, and improved service delivery, thereby setting a new standard for the marine freight industry in the USA.
Partnering for Future Success
As companies in the seaport and marine freight sector explore opportunities to modernize their operations and enhance connectivity, Infinity stands ready to offer its expertise and support.
While not involved in this specific project, Infinity’s dedicated engineering teams possess the knowledge and experience to assist similar organizations in deploying Nokia solutions tailored to their unique requirements.
By partnering with Infinity, companies can leverage cutting-edge technologies to optimize their operations and achieve their digital transformation goals.
References
- https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2023/09/07/nokia-deploys-private-wireless-for-husky-terminal-and-stevedoring-to-optimize-marine-freight-operations-at-us-port/
- https://onestore.nokia.com/asset/213543
- https://www.porttechnology.org/news/nokia-deploys-private-wireless-network-in-tacoma/
About Infinity Technology Solutions
Infinity Technology Solutions specializes in broadband and critical communications infrastructure development. We help our channel partners create and deploy private wireless, microwave backhaul, IP/MPLS, and optical networking technologies.
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