Private networks are in the news again. This time Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía, a port terminal in Cartagena, Colombia, is announcing that it is the first multipurpose terminal to adopt a private 4G technology in Latin America after a deal involving Nokia and operator Claro Colombia.
The two companies have announced the deployment of what is described as an industrial-grade private 4.9G (often described as an incremental upgrade of 4G LTE) wireless network and edge computing solution at Portuaria Puerto Bahía. The deployment uses the Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (DAC), including the Nokia MX Industrial Edge, designed to meet the mission-critical wireless connectivity and on-premises OT data processing needs of an array of industries – including port terminals, like this one.
The new pervasive private wireless 4.9G network, powered by Claro Colombia, delivers high bandwidth and low latency and improves network predictability in piers and yards. It will, the partners say, reliably and securely connect hundreds of workers, sensors, equipment, vehicles and cargo.
Sociedad Portuaria Puerto Bahía is a modern multipurpose maritime terminal, handling mainly general cargo and hydrocarbons (it’s the largest private hydrocarbon terminal in Colombia).
In its general cargo division, it handles Ro-Ro (roll on-roll off), project, and bulk cargo. It also provides logistics and offshore exploration services, among others. Puerto Bahía is the Ro-Ro cargo leader in the country, handling 95% of the Caribbean coast market and more than 50% of the Colombian market.
Nokia says DAC will be the key enabler of Puerto Bahía's digital transformation journey, which will begin with automation in the hydrocarbons terminal area.
One of the more innovative use cases to be implemented is the tracking of up to 20,000 vehicles at peak capacity. Nokia DAC will also provide connectivity between TOS (terminal operation systems) and personnel, and between cranes in docks and yards to optimize operations.
