For ports, there are several paths forward towards the goal of decarbonization.
Alternative fuels, digitalization, and increased EV adoption show promise—even if the adoption of electric machinery is still years away from becoming mainstream. Fortunately, there is one little-discussed solution that helps achieve energy efficiency and cost savings with existing equipment: simulation training.
When considering different ways to achieve port sustainability, one key area to examine is the adoption of simulation training in place of traditional training methods.
Simulation training enables employees to practice and learn how to operate port machinery in a virtual environment, thus reducing the need for physical resources. In turn, this leads to enhanced productivity, reduced energy consumption, and minimized environmental impacts related to emissions and waste. Here is a list of the benefits:
On-the-job equipment training presents many challenges within a modern port environment. Safety concerns and productivity loss are top among them, but so too are the emissions generated by training activities.
Simulation allows operators to complete their initial training without consuming fuel in the process. In addition, simulation training can also be used to train for exception handling, retraining, and upskilling. For yardside equipment like rubber-tired gantries, reach stackers, straddle carriers, forklifts, and empty container handlers, this approach to training can have a significant impact on fuel consumption and port decarbonization. Moreover, virtual training reduces wear and tear on equipment, prolonging their operational lifespan.
Whether seasoned or inexperienced, operators benefit from the concentrated practice that simulation training provides. In fact, training on a simulator can significantly enhance efficiency throughout the entire port terminal workflow.
For ZHD Stevedores, for example, operators were able to halve the amount of time it took them to move bulk material. “I notice that people come in, and their increase in production on the simulator is quite rapid,” said Alain Bornet, ZHD’s Head of Business Development. “They come in at 40 minutes to an hour for 550 tonnes [of bulk material moved], and after a couple of sessions they’re already in the 20- to 30-minute range.” Similarly, operators can also improve their cycle times when moving containers.
These increases in efficiency have an impact on port decarbonization efforts. With the help of simulation training, operators experience greater efficiencies when handling port machinery in real-world scenarios, resulting in reduced fuel consumption through maximized productivity.
The detailed monitoring and reporting inherent in world-class simulation training solutions offer tangible evidence of operational savings, machine handling, and other performance data aligning with port sustainability objectives. With the help of different metrics and indicators, including cycle times, ports can develop benchmarks for sustainable performance. Over time, ports can use targeted KPI metrics to facilitate both continuous improvement efforts and the tracking of operational savings and efficiencies achieved through simulation.
Embracing sustainable practices doesn’t have to be complicated. Ports offering immersive training experiences significantly reduce the need for physical resources, helping streamline operations, dramatically cut fuel consumption and associated emissions, and reduce environmental impact. Furthermore, providing data that demonstrates operational savings and gains in operator performance achieves a key step towards achieving a more sustainable and efficient port ecosystem.
Want to learn more about how simulation training supports port decarbonization? Check out our webinar: Green Ports & Practices: Simulation Training and Sustainability in Action.
