EUROGATE and ICT Logistics have entered a strategic cooperation to design and implement a next-generation Equipment Control System (ECS) based on ICT Logistics’ SmartECS solution. This system will integrate closely with EUROGATE’s Terminal Operating System and scheduler, operateMyBox (oMb), to orchestrate automated equipment from multiple vendors in a vendor-independent environment, supporting flexible and future-proof terminal operations.
SmartECS acts as a central orchestration platform that harmonizes communication between different equipment types and vendors, including Ship-to-Shore cranes, Automated Stacking Cranes, and Automated Terminal Trucks (ATT). ATT represents a key innovation within the project, offering significant potential to enable autonomous horizontal transport for EUROGATE’s container terminals in Germany and the wider industry. The platform is designed for high availability and performance, runs on Kubernetes, and uses industry-standard interfaces based on TIC4.0 and MQTT.
The cooperation is built on equality and close collaboration, combining ICT Logistics’ extensive knowledge in container terminal automation and ECS systems with EUROGATE’s deep operational expertise. Michael Blach, Chairman of the Group Management Board at EUROGATE, notes that the cooperation reflects a long-term commitment to open and scalable terminal technology, while JP Broekgaarden of ICT Logistics explains that SmartECS provides a robust, vendor-independent bridge between automated equipment and the Terminal Operating System.