BOXBAY Container Handling System Proves Market Readiness

After extensive commissioning and practical tests of the proof-of-concept facility at the Port of Dubai, the joint venture partners SMS group and DP World have confirmed that the BOXBAY HBS high-bay storage system is ready for the global market. The system has significantly exceeded all expectations. The results of the practical operation with more than 80,000 container movements speak for themselves: This technology is the answer to the growing goods flows in international seaports.

(Düsseldorf/Dubai) The environmentally friendly BOXBAY High Bay Store technology sets new standards in terms of storage capacity, performance, and digitalization of ports. Moreover, it significantly contributes to the decarbonization of supply chains. This benefits not only the ports themselves but also their surrounding environment.

The fully automated system operates without artificial lighting. Noise emissions during operation are minimized. For example, the system can be completely clad with soundproof walls on selected sides, which can even be greened.

In addition, BOXBAY systems are powered exclusively by electricity. Accordingly, they do not produce any local CO₂ emissions. Recuperation technology allows for the recovery of energy during container handling. Optionally, photovoltaic systems can be installed on the roof, providing more energy than is needed for the overall operation of the system. This makes the operation of the facility CO₂-positive.

Ports Become Faster and Greener

These examples show that the ports of the future will not only be faster and smarter but also greener. For Volker Brück, Director of Business Development at BOXBAY, this is a promising combination: “BOXBAY is an example, especially for future generations, that economic efficiency and sustainability do not exclude each other but can complement each other ideally. I know of no other system that meets so many different requirements and has been developed with such responsibility and consideration for the people who work in the ports and live in their surroundings.”

Planned Tours During the ‘Seatrade Maritime Middle East’

The EXPO 2020 in Dubai, starting on October 1, 2021, represents an important milestone for BOXBAY. As part of the Seatrade Maritime Middle East 2021, taking place from December 13 to 15, 2021, at the Dubai Expedition Center on the EXPO site, BOXBAY will present the new system not only to experts from port logistics but also to global decision-makers from other key industries. Although the location of the BOXBAY system in the Port of Jebel Ali is officially not part of the EXPO, interested and potential customers as well as port experts will have the opportunity to experience the new system up close.

“We are very proud that we can present our innovative logistics solution very soon and that the world can see that this system has the potential to revolutionize container handling in ports. Our team looks forward to presenting the proof-of-concept facility at the Port of Dubai up close to media representatives and interested stakeholders during the Seatrade Maritime and the EXPO,” explains Dr. Mathias Dobner, CEO of BOXBAY.

About BOXBAY

BOXBAY is a joint venture founded by the leading global port operator and logistics provider DP World and the technology and plant engineering company SMS group GmbH. The HBS High Bay Storage system was originally developed by the SMS group subsidiary AMOVA for handling heavy metal coils. These coils can be stored and retrieved around the clock in rack systems up to 50 meters high. AMOVA has successfully transferred this proven technology to port logistics for the first time.

The patented High Bay Store system BOXBAY is an automated container handling system where containers can be stacked up to eleven levels. The system offers three times the capacity of a conventional container storage facility on the same footprint. Thus, it not only requires 70 percent less space but is also significantly more efficient, as each individual container can be removed at any time without the need to rearrange or move other containers.

Photo: © SMS group