13. ITSS: The Integrated Terminal Ship System

Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCV) with high trade volumes per port are making fewer calls per round trip with more transshipment cargo and more port times at higher costs. Innovations which increase handling productivity and streamline handling operations of feeder vessels (in short: feeders) are required to avoid inefficient long stays in ports as well as to reduce the costs resulting from ULCV processing. The patented “Integrated Terminal Ship System” (ITSS or ITS system) satisfies these requirements by the innovation of direct container handling between ULCV and feeder vessels. Basically, there are two technical solutions possible: Transshipment containers are simultaneously handled on both ULCV sides using two finger piers (first alternative) and im-/export containers are un-/loaded at the ULCV quayside while transshipment containers are directly handled between ULCV and feeders at the ULCV waterside using one finger pier (second alternative). Both ITSS system alternatives use traction engines which move on the finger pier(s). The engines facilitate direct handling of transshipment containers by shifting the feeder vessel(s) alongside the pier(s) to the respective container bays required as per stowage plans.