DP World and SMS Group launch international joint venture

Port operator DP World and industrial engineering specialists SMS Group have established an international joint venture (JV) to launch a high-bay storage (HBS) system for containers.

Named BOXBAY, the JV will roll out the new system by 2020 and it will provide major advantages for greenfield and brownfield terminals.

The HBS system was originally developed by SMS group subsidiary AMOVA for the handling of 50t metal coils.

Upon launch, the HBS will be trialled at Jebel Ali Terminal 4.

BOXBAY CEO Dr Mathias Dobner said: “With our BOXBAY high-bay storage technology, we are introducing a revolutionary system that will disrupt global port logistics.

“Following the world’s operators’ tremendous interest in our joint venture, we are now looking forward to showcasing our solution to them in person.”

The system enhances the storage capacity of the terminals by allowing containers to be stacked as high as 11 tiers.

Due to its fully automated functionality, BOXBAY makes each container directly accessible as each container is placed in an individual rack.

The new system will also provide considerable improvements in handling speed, energy efficiency, safety and a major reduction in operating costs.

SMS group CEO Burkhard Dahmen said: “The BOXBAY system is a direct result of our ‘New Horizon’ strategy, in which SMS transfers proven technology from the metallurgical sector to other industries.”

BOXBAY is planning to showcase its technology and operator business cases for the first time in public at the Terminal Operator Conference (TOC Europe) in Rotterdam in June.