LPC – Reefer Towers EFGH Software and Hardware – Predictive

Industry: Information Services, Shipping / Logistics

Project Budget (Digital): $400,000

Date: July 2021 – April 2023

Key Deliverables:

- - Procure and install RF hardware within Reefer Towers
  - Software system configuration, implementation, commissioning and testing
  - Fibre architecture and design
  - Two relocations of major fibre hub, managing migration and outages across 24/7 operations
  - Installation of a new major fibre hub to support existing and future development
  - Install and test two reefer tower communication rooms
  - Update yard mapping for GPS accuracy
  - Support Operations to update system processes

Reefer Towers – Software and Hardware Technology Installation

Lyttelton Port Company’s first four Reefer Towers were such a success they have become the standard for refrigerated container care for the Terminal. This project was an extension of the first four, expanding capacity by a further 400 containers across 3.5 towers. I led the digital infrastructure and software systems working closely with infrastructure and civil to manage key dependencies and commissioning.

The physical location of the new towers conflicted with the Ports major eastern fibre hub. A migration to a temporary location for approximately 1 year would be required, relocating equipment into the new Reefer Central Substation – dedicated communications room in the final stage of the project. The eastern fibre hub supported more than 50% of the container terminals operations including combined workshop and coal operations. Careful and detailed planning was required in order to reduce outages to a maximum of 5 minutes per area working methodically through the switch groups during agreed outage periods. M&H Communications and 2 Degrees played a significant role in the success of this deliverable with all switches migrated as planned with 100% success.

Design, installation and commissioning of the new Reefer Central Substation – Communications room took great care and attention to detail. Providing primary connectivity not only to the new reefer towers, but the new combined workshop and new Eastgate R&D exchange area. Staged commissioning was paramount to supporting three projects all relying on connectivity from the site.

Expansion of the Ports reefer monitoring system – Reefer Runner (Identec Solutions) was procured, configured and the system upgraded for extra capacity. Additional rugged tablets were delivered to the reefer team to support growth.

The project was successful due to the hard work and dedication of all involved.

Special thanks: David Jones (Rubix), Stuart McGirr (Mitton Electronet), Blake Porteous (Ventia), Malcolm Stanley (LPC), Ron Crosby (LPC), Bernard Alheit (LPC) and Raymond Smith, Matthew Williamson (Identec Solutions Ltd)