IN BRIEF: New Services and Solutions
The Movu 3D shuttle system escala is a flexible robotic automated bin storage and retrieval sub-system, suitable for even the smallest applications of bin-compatible products. Robots move along a rail track that connects every location point within the dense storage and retrieval rack, transferring between levels via ramps. Intelligent management software allows sequencing of bins at multiple points within the system and at the goods-to-person workstations.
Technology
• Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots, released the LocusHub business intelligence engine to provide AI-powered warehouse intelligence and robotics automation optimization. LocusHub, part of the LocusOne platform, harnesses advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to deliver predictive and prescriptive insights.
• Rail shippers can gain better control of transportation costs with a demurrage management solution from Railinc’s TransmetriQ business unit. The new TransmetriQ module helps identify and manage demurrage situations, provides automatic demurrage estimates, identifies dwell and cycle time trends, and prioritizes cars for loading/unloading to minimize fees.
• apexanalytix, a provider of supply chain risk management solutions, launched apex Neural Engine, an AI-powered solution designed to streamline supplier interactions and relationships. The solution provides companies with a trainable risk-sensing assistant to consume risk signals from around the world and builds private knowledge bases by applying generative AI to supplier documentation.
• Kaleris unveiled new capabilities in its yard management system (YMS) to improve efficiency, operational visibility, and safety in yard operations. The latest innovations in the Kaleris YMS include intelligent movement to organize yard moves, minimize conflicts, and reduce bottlenecks as well as appointment scheduling, which assigns a specific time for trucks or carriers to arrive for shipment loading/unloading.
Products
↑ The next-generation HUBTEX Load Manager helps workers transport bulky, long, or heavy loads into and out of storage. Providing support for steering into target positions and finding the ideal lifting height, the system also offers optional preselection settings for fork adjustment and mast reachout, ensuring long goods can be transported with precision.
• The new Raymond Courier 3030 Automated Stacker offers improved motion control, object detection coverage, increased speeds, and lane staging capabilities to materials handling applications. The Courier is built on the Raymond chassis and mast and uses vision-guided technology.
• Emerson’s Appleton Baymaster LED high-bay luminaires and Areamaster LED floodlights are now equipped with energy-saving dimming as a standard feature, along with new color temperatures that minimize light pollution.
← The Autotote 64 from packaging manufacturer Loadhog is designed to work with intralogistics automation. The container features a single-shot, double-skin base that makes it smooth inside and out. It has a cantilever base edge which reduces deflection and helps ensure a smoother transition between linking conveyors, during directional change, and over rollers.
→ The LHI-DO Lightgistics series light from Smart Vision Lights is designed to deliver intense linear light in high-speed scan tunnel systems so packages can be illuminated and read, no matter the shape or material. The technology—which enables LEDs to rapidly self-trigger thousands of times per second at rates imperceivable to the human eye—maximizes the capabilities of machine vision systems while protecting employees.
• Delta, a provider of IoT-based solutions, unveiled a new wireless charging system for electric forklifts, heavy-load automated guided vehicles, and yard trucks. The new M∞Vair 30 kW wireless charging system, which recently obtained Federal Communications Commission approval, provides 95% contactless power conversion efficiency.
Services
• Bangkok Flight Services, the joint venture between Bangkok Airways and Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a member of the SATS Group, achieved Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification for its dedicated pharma handling facility at the city’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport. WFS customers can now avail of 27 GDP or IATA CEIV Pharma certified facilities globally, with two locations in North America aiming for certification in Q2 and Q3 2024.
• GEODIS launched a multi-carrier parcel shipping solution that offers shippers enhanced rate shopping and carrier selection capabilities. Customers in the Americas region can take advantage of a broader choice of shipping options, making informed selections for ecommerce fulfillment by comparing shipping rates based on parcel size, destination, and delivery timeline.
• Southeastern Freight Lines, a provider of regional less-than-truckload transportation services, opened a new service center in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The new facility, located at 6333 Whitney Drive, consists of 45 dock doors and offers expanded dispatch spaces.
• Old Dominion Freight Line opened one of its largest service centers, expanding its network to better serve the Northeast. The new service center located in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, began operations in March 2024 with 140 employees.
Transportation
↑ The CMA CGM Group took delivery of the CMA CGM MERMAID, the first ship in a series of 10 new 2,000-TEU container ships powered by liquefied natural gas. To be deployed in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, the ships join the CMA CGM fleet of around 620 vessels, including more than 30 powered by alternative energies.
• PITT OHIO now offers next-day shipping lanes to New England from three of its terminals. Previously, standard shipping to New England from Cumberland and Baltimore, Maryland, and the Greater Philadelphia Area could take up to 3 days. Now, customers in New England can expect their freight to arrive in 24 hours.
• OOCL introduced its newest mega container ship the OOCL Abu Dhabi, the eighth eco-friendly 24,188-TEU vessel on its fleet. It will serve the Asia-Europe LL1 service.
• ZIM added a call to Cai Mep Port in Vietnam to its ZMP service, connecting Asia to the East Mediterranean. The updated rotation includes Pusan, Qingdao, Ningbo, Shanghai, Da Chan Bay, Cai Mep, Colombo, Haifa, Ashdod, Mersin, Derince, Istanbul, and Xiamen.
• Efret launched a road freight transport service from the UK to Morocco with scheduled departures every weekday. The direct service offers transit times of 5-7 days door to door.