Discuss the history of the use of cranes at container ports and how their efficiency may diminish over time due to increased economies of scale (larger vessels, larger container yards, ect).
Automated Cranes at Container Terminals
Write a 3 page paper covering the benefits and disadvantages of utilizing automated cranes a container port. Writer must also provide a paper outline as well. The outline must provide an introduction paragraph and a conclusion one, along with information typically found within a research paper outline.
Utilizing the following for basics for outline and paper:
1. Introduction
Discuss the importance of container ports and how port cranes facilitate intermodal transportation on a global scale. Introduce the concept of autonomous cranes and why this concept has sparked interest within the transportation industry over the last few years. Ensure to end introduction with a thesis statement that pertains to how the benefits of utilizing autonomous cranes outweighs the disadvantages of using them.
2. Background
Discuss the history of the use of cranes at container ports and how their efficiency may diminish over time due to increased economies of scale (larger vessels, larger container yards, ect).
Discuss the history of autonomous cranes at container ports and how they positively affected port operations at a specific large scale port terminal after their integration into the port’s infrastructure.
3. Benefits of Utilizing Autonomous Cranes (ensure to utilize source when discussing the benefits)
Decreased vessel discharge/load times. Discuss how autonomous cranes can drastically decrease vessel discharge/load times. Identify how this can benefit such things as lowering costs and increasing productivity.
Decreased safety incidents. Discuss how autonomous cranes can drastically decrease safety incidents throughout a container terminal.
4. Autonomous Crane Use Opposing Viewpoints (ensure to utilize source when discussing the disadvantages)
Infrastructure Project Costs. Discuss the cost at which it takes to integrate autonomous cranes into terminal operations. Include not only the cranes, but also costs associated with maintaining them, synching the technology, and hiring specialized workers.
Cybersecurity Issues. Discuss cybersecurity issues pertaining to autonomous cranes such as hackers and cyber terrorists. Discuss how their actions can compromise port operations pertaining to autonomous cranes.
Conclusion
Summarize the paper.
Use scholarly articles and government website for references in addition to the following:
Konings, R., Priemus, H., & Nijkamp, P. (2008). The future of intermodal freight transport: Operations, design and policy. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited.
