Georgia Ports Authority crane operators have a new state-of-the-art training tool — a virtual reality crane simulator that operates much like those used to train pilots.
Built by GlobalSim, the simulator features three-dimensional cabin movement activated by the same operator controls in use at GPA.
“This equipment will allow the GPA to conduct a more effective and efficient training program,” said GPA Executive Director Curtis Foltz. “Our ship-to-shore operators are already industry leaders, completing more than 40 container moves per crane hour. The simulator will ensure that new recruits maintain that performance level and existing operators keep their skills sharp.”
GlobalSim project manager Von Colborn said the Port of Savannah is the first in the Southeast to use the technology and the first ever to use an updated software package that was highly customized for the GPA.
When training, users are surrounded by displays that mimic a container terminal environment. The operator feels realistic movement, sees true-to-scale video representation and hears appropriately timed audio matching the sights, sounds and movement of a Kone ship-to-shore crane or a Kone rubber-tired gantry crane.
The images mirror the actual environment at the Garden City Terminal, including Hutchinson Island across the river channel, and the specific vessels that call on the Port of Savannah.
Simulator models can be changed within minutes by switching from ship-to-shore to RTG control consoles.
“Beyond expected benefits to safe and efficient operations, the GlobalSim equipment will be an important asset in developing our employee skill set,” said GPA Chief Operating Officer Griff Lynch.
Most RTG and ship-to-shore crane operators are promoted from within the GPA workforce, he said. The simulator will allow workers interested in becoming crane operators to train in a lifelike situation, while helping evaluators assess a candidate’s abilities.
Typically, workers first move to the RTGs used to handle containers on terminal and then to ship-to-shore cranes. The simulator will be used for training at both stages of progression.
The simulator is programmable to allow operators to practice their skills for handling situations that might arise rarely but require quick response – such as wind and weather issues, or unusual container loads. The simulator also accounts for day and nighttime operations.
The Port of Savannah has 110 RTGs with six more being assembled on-site. Four of the existing RTGs are electric powered. The terminal has 23 ship-to-shore cranes, with four more on order.
While the new cranes have the same lift capacity as the GPA’s 12 other Super Post-Panamax cranes, they will have a lift height of 136 feet – 16 feet higher than the GPA’s largest cranes to date.
As the GPA crane fleet grows, more operators will be needed, making the simulator a smart move, said GPA board chairman Robert Jepson.
“While other ports have slowed expansions in the wake of the national recession, we have continued to make smart investments that will pay dividends in better trained employees and greater efficiency in cargo handling,” he said.
Mary Carr Mayle covers ports for Savannah Morning News and Savannahnow.com. She can by reached at 912-652-0324 or mary.mayle@savannahnow.com.
SHIPPING SCHEDULE
The following ships are expected to call on Georgia Ports Authority’s Garden City and Ocean terminals in the next week. Schedules are provided by Georgia Ports and subject to change.
TERMINAL SHIP ARRIVAL
GCT APL JAPAN Today
GCT UASC DOHA Today
GCT WHITNEY Today
GCT STUTTGART EXPRESS Today
GCT MIRAMARIN Today
OT GREEN BAY Today
OT OBERON Today
GCT EVER DIADEM Saturday
GCT CMA CGM LA SCALA Saturday
GCT KOBE EXPRESS Saturday
GCT MSC MELISSA Saturday
GCT BOW ARCHITECT Saturday
GCT MSC SARISKA Saturday
GCT CSAV LARAQUETE Saturday
GCT CHARLESTON EXPRESS Saturday
GCT MARE ATLANTICUM Saturday
GCT ASIR Saturday
GCT OOCL BRITAIN Saturday
OT SEVEN SEAS NAVIGATOR Saturday
GCT CMA CGM MANET Sunday
GCT NYK LAURA Monday
GCT AKRITAS Monday
GCT PORTLAND EXPRESS Monday
GCT CMA CGM L’ETOILE Monday
GCT NYK METEOR Monday
GCT YM ELIXIR Monday
GCT MSC LAURA Tuesday
GCT YM MILESTONE Tuesday
GCT KAAN KALKAVAN Tuesday
GCT MAERSK DERINCE Tuesday
GCT SEOUL EXPRESS Tuesday
GCT HANJIN MARSEILLES Tuesday
GCT MOL ENDURANCE Tuesday
GCT SEA-LAND CHAMPION Wednesday
GCT ZIM LUANDA Wednesday
GCT HYUNDAI INTEGRAL Wednesday
GCT MSC SILVANA Wednesday
GCT RANJAN Wednesday
GCT MOL PRESENCE Wednesday
OT HUARMEY QUEEN Wednesday
OT STAR LINDESNES Wednesday
GCT CATHRINE RICKMERS Thursday
GCT ISLANDIA Thursday
GCT ZIM BEIJING Thursday
GCT MSC CARMEN Thursday
GCT XIN SU ZHOU Thursday
GCT SAN FRANCISCO EXPRESS Thursday
GCT MAERSK DAUPHIN Thursday