Innovation Challenge: Barge Positioning
Introduction
Inland navigation is an important transport mode in the Port of Antwerp, resulting in more than 49.000 barges calling at the port each year. Due to several reasons, amongst others the planning of the operations at the terminals and the rules on rest times for crews, there is a need for waiting berths for barges. To guarantee the optimal occupation of waiting berths in the port area we are constantly working on optimising the usage of these areas and we are looking for new opportunities to increase the capacity of these berths.
The inland navigation app 'Apics Barge' is currently being tested. This app gives a possibility to display berth occupancy for seagoing vessels. Skippers can see in real time which berths are available or not. The seagoing vessels are correctly displayed in Apics Barge, based on bollard number. However, the quality of data coming from inland vessels is only based on AIS data and is not 100% accurate, moreover, these inland vessels cannot be accurately positioned. For example, the interactive map shows a dot where the inland vessel is located, so it is not known whether this is a small vessel or a very large tanker and on which exact position it is moored. Moreover, ships can also be moored next to each other (against each other in width).
The Challenge
The main goal of this innovation challenge is to position moored barges accurately at a waiting berth, to visualise it in order to determine the occupancy of the berths and to make the search for a waiting berth more efficient for the barges.
Can you come up with an idea for a solution to accurately position and visualize vessels at waiting berths?
The winning idea will be rewarded with a monetary price of €5.000! Take your shot!
CLICK HERE TO REQUEST ACCESS & SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL
If you are an external participant and have already been granted access, use this link to connect.
If you are an employee of Port of Antwerp (@portofantwerp.com email address) - Please use this login.
From idea to winner: the selection process explained
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
- 02/07/2021 - INFO SESSION Add to calendar
- 07/07/2021 & 08/07/2021 - Field Visit. Add to calendar
Help & Contact
Idea submission needs to happen on our innovation management platform. Click here to request access. Once approved, you'll be able to submit your proposal.
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If you have any questions or need help, do not hesitate to send a mail to Svetlana.Samsonova@portofantwerp.com.
Attention! If you are an employee of Port of Antwerp (email address ending on @portofantwerp.com) - Please use this login.
Competition Rules
There are 2 rounds of the competition:
- Round 1: we ask you to submit your idea (max 1 page, template will be provided). Deadline: 01/08/2021
- The Technical Expert Team will evaluate all submitted ideas and will select the best ones for the next round. Announcement: 10/08/2021
- Round 2: we will ask selected candidates to work out their idea into a project proposal (max 10 pages, template will be provided) and a one-minute pitch (optional). Deadline: 15/09/2021
- The Technical Expert Team will evaluate all submitted proposals and will select the best one according to the chosen criteria. The Technical Expert Team will have to positively assess the overall feasibility of the solution. The winner will be announced on 10/10/2021.
Proposals need to be submitted in English.
The organisation always has the right not to hold anyone back.
The organization is free to decide whether the won solution will be implemented effectively.
The submitter is not entitled to any compensation for the creation of ideas and concepts.
Intellectual property remains the property of the developer of the idea.
All data submitted within the framework of the competition will be returned to the submitter and will no longer be in the possession of the organizer.