ICT Logistics and EUROGATE Container Terminal have announced a strategic cooperation focused on the development and implementation of a next-generation Equipment Control System (ECS), designed to support the continued evolution of automated container terminal operations.
At the centre of the collaboration is ICT Logistics’ SmartECS solution, which will connect with EUROGATE’s Terminal Operating System and scheduler, operateMyBox (oMb). The platform is being developed to coordinate automated equipment from multiple manufacturers within a vendor-independent environment, providing a common link between planning and scheduling systems and equipment operating across the terminal.
The ability to integrate equipment from different suppliers is a key element of the project. SmartECS is designed to manage communication between equipment, including Ship-to-Shore cranes (STS), Automated Stacking Cranes (ASC) and Automated Terminal Trucks (ATT), creating a unified orchestration layer across terminal operations.
ATT is expected to play a particularly important role in the development, with the technology offering the potential to support autonomous horizontal transport. The partners intend for this approach to contribute to more flexible and scalable operations at EUROGATE’s container terminals in Germany, while also demonstrating the wider potential of autonomous transport within the container terminal sector.
EUROGATE selected ICT Logistics based on the company’s experience in developing open ECS technology capable of connecting different planning and scheduling environments with a broad range of automated equipment. SmartECS is intended to provide a reliable interface between oMb and the equipment operating in the yard, supporting continuous terminal operations while reducing the complexities associated with integrating multiple technologies and vendors.
“SmartECS enables innovation between equipment suppliers and terminal operators by providing a robust, vendor-independent bridge between automated equipment and the Terminal Operating System (TOS).”
– JP Broekgaarden, Business Development Executive of ICT Logistics.
The project is being developed through close cooperation between the two organisations, combining ICT Logistics’ expertise in terminal automation and ECS technology with EUROGATE’s operational knowledge. Rather than following a traditional supplier relationship, the collaboration will see both parties contribute to shaping the technology and its application within the terminal environment.
“This cooperation reflects our long-term commitment to open and scalable terminal technology.”
– Michael Blach, Chairman of the Group Management Board of EUROGATE.
A major objective of the collaboration is to reduce integration complexity while creating a platform that can support the changing requirements of automated terminals. By bringing operational, automation and software expertise together, the partners aim to establish an architecture capable of accommodating different equipment and technologies as terminal operations continue to evolve.
“Successful terminal automation depends on close coordination between operations, automation systems, and software platforms. ICT Logistics’ collaborative approach with EUROGATE’s Automation and IT teams helps reduce integration complexity and supports scalable, vendor-independent operations.”
– Joseph Collins, Group Head of Automation of EUROGATE.
As part of the concept being developed, Automated Terminal Trucks will take responsibility for horizontal transport, creating opportunities for a more flexible approach to the movement of containers within the terminal. The partners see this as an important step towards developing scalable and future-ready automation concepts.
SmartECS itself is developed independently by ICT Logistics and consists of core components that can be expanded to incorporate customer-specific requirements. ICT Logistics manages the complete product lifecycle, encompassing requirements gathering, system architecture, development, testing and ongoing maintenance.
The platform has been designed to support high availability and performance and operates on Kubernetes. It uses industry-standard interfaces based on TIC4.0 and MQTT, while also allowing vendor-specific protocols to be translated where necessary. This architecture is intended to give terminal operators greater flexibility when integrating equipment and systems from different suppliers.
“This cooperation demonstrates how deep domain expertise and advanced software engineering can help terminal operators achieve reliable, future-ready operations. With SmartECS, we provide the foundation for collaboration, expandable integration and long-term innovation across the terminal ecosystem.”
– Karim Henkens, CEO ICT Group.
The cooperation between ICT Logistics and EUROGATE reflects a broader industry focus on creating open and adaptable automation environments capable of supporting increasingly complex terminal operations. Through the combination of SmartECS technology and EUROGATE’s operational expertise, the partners aim to establish a scalable and vendor-independent foundation for the next generation of automated container terminals.
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