Hyundai Glovis, a leading logistics provider and part of the Hyundai Motor Group, announced on Wednesday the deployment of a proprietary artificial intelligence (AI)-powered stowage planning system for its vehicle carriers. This innovative system aims to boost operational efficiency and enhance safety in cargo management.
Stowage planning, the intricate process of strategically arranging cargo onboard a vessel, is crucial for maximizing cargo space utilization and ensuring the stability of the ship during transit.
The newly implemented AI system automates the calculation of optimal stowage positions, considering various factors such as vehicle type, cargo volume, and the vessel’s port rotation schedule. The system also factors in critical parameters like cargo weight, height restrictions, and the order of discharge at different ports.
Previously, stowage planning was a manual, labor-intensive operation. Considering that a typical pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) transports over 6,000 vehicles across multiple ports of call, the complexity was substantial.
Planners were required to meticulously consider diverse vessel layouts and constantly fluctuating cargo manifests, while simultaneously prioritizing the placement of heavy equipment on lower decks to maintain the ship’s center of gravity and overall seaworthiness.
To overcome these challenges, Hyundai Glovis has patented a unique data model that effectively structures a vessel’s internal layout by deck and zone. This model enables the AI system to accurately interpret spatial limitations, verify vehicle movement paths, and ensure strict adherence to weight distribution guidelines and discharge sequences.
“The AI-generated stowage plans have demonstrated safety and efficiency levels comparable to those created by experienced human planners, while significantly reducing planning time by approximately 50 percent,” stated an official representative from Hyundai Glovis. “We anticipate further reductions in planning time, potentially exceeding 90 percent, as the technology continues to mature and refine its capabilities.”
Hyundai Glovis intends to implement this advanced AI-driven stowage planning technology across its entire fleet of car carriers.
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