Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi, UAE has set a regional record with an average truck turnaround time of only 12 minutes at its container terminal. This represents a 70% reduction from the initial 40 minute turnaround time when operations began in 2012. The rapid improvement is due to optimization of automated systems, extensive driver training, and an appointment-based online registration system. The fast turnaround time enhances supply chain efficiency and establishes Khalifa Port as a leading international logistics hub.

1. XX November 2014
Khalifa Port sets region’s record
for turnaround time for trucks
Trucks spend only 12 minutes on port site for cargo operations
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Khalifa Port has hit a further milestone for port
productivity: the truck turnaround time at the port’s ultra-modern semi-
automated container terminal has now dropped to just 12 minutes, making
the terminal the most efficient in the region.
Khalifa Port’s container terminal which is operated by Abu Dhabi Ports
Company’s (ADPC) subsidiary Abu Dhabi Terminals (ADT), started off with a
truck turnaround time of around 40 minutes at the beginning of commercial
operations in September 2012. Today’s turnaround record of 12 minutes
marks a 70% time reduction in just two years.
The turnaround time of a truck picking up or dropping off its cargo from or
at a container terminal is calculated over two time periods: 1. How long does
a truck wait outside the port gate before entering the port? 2. How much
time does a truck spend inside the port from entry gate to exit gate?

2. Congestion is a common problem for ports around the world, it can be
caused by many trucks arriving at the same time to drop off or pick up their
cargo. Other challenges are that truck drivers need to go through security
checks before entering the port or are not familiar with the port premises.
Apart from optimizing the system interfaces with the automated stacking
cranes (ASC) which organize the containers in the container yard, another
reason behind the drastic time reduction is ADT’s strong emphasis on
training truck drivers how to use the semi-automated container terminal and
making them familiar with all of its facilities.
In addition, Khalifa Port is equipped with a comprehensive, state-of-the-art
information and communications technology (ICT) system that allows ADT to
constantly optimize operations on the port site. Part of this cutting edge ICT
system is an appointment application through which truck drivers register
online and choose a preferred time window to drop off or pick up a
container. This enables ADT personnel to organize truck arrivals and
container cargo ahead of time.
Against this backdrop, ADT has further improved the coordination among
staff members at Khalifa Port’s container depot and, ADPC, Khalifa Port’s
master developer has invested in additional Automatic Stacking Cranes
(ASCs) at the port’s container yard, bringing it to a total of 42 ASCs.

3. Furthermore, ADPC has introduced optical character recognition (OCR), as
well as RFID (radio frequency ID) tags for truck drivers to make their entry
to and exit from the port faster and more convenient.
“The 12-minute benchmark adds another success story to Khalifa Port’s
container terminal. It is a world-class achievement and the result of our
excellent partnerships with our customers who had a tremendous impact on
the improvement of our traffic management”, says Ahmed Al Mutawa,
Director Container Terminal Operations, ADT.
“A quick truck turnaround time is very important for our customers as it
affects their supply chain efficiency. Achieving a 12-minute turnaround time
for trucks is a fantastic result which raises Khalifa Port’s status as an
international maritime hub, driving trade and economic prosperity across the
emirate”, says Gary Lemke, EVP Ports, ADPC.
ENDS