First unmanned STS in production

ABB Crane Systems has put the world's first unmanned ship-to-shore crane (STS) into commercial production in Panama.

It was developed in cooperation with Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT), which had a team of engineers and operators to test and evaluate the functionality. The unmanned STS crane was conceived as a logical step in ABB's range of automation solutions for STS and stacking cranes, said the company.

"This is an excellent example of how one market segment can benefit from progress made in another segment," said a company spokesman. "The unmanned operation was one important step in a series of development projects targeting STS crane productivity, energy efficiency and driver ergonomics."

Instead of sitting in the cabin attached to the trolley, the crane operator supervises the operation from a remote control station similar to that used for automatic stacking cranes (ASC). For the operator, this means an improved working environment without stress to the back.

"We are pleased to see the new unmanned operation in production and are proud to be the first in the world to deliver the system," added the spokesman.