The Port of Tyne, a prominent and vital hub in the UK’s maritime industry, has taken a significant step forward in its quest to become a leading smart port. In partnership with BT and Ericsson, the port has successfully implemented a private network that offers 4G and 5G connectivity across its entire estate, marking the country’s first site-wide deployment of 4G and 5G standalone connectivity designed for smart port applications. This innovative infrastructure is built upon the Ericsson Private 5G solution and BT’s spectrum, with the ability to run both 4G and 5G concurrently, ensuring compatibility with existing devices while paving the way for new 5G applications that will drive the port’s transformation.
The Port of Tyne’s foray into this technology promises a host of live use cases, set to commence in November. These applications include video and sensors at the port’s gateways, facilitating secure vehicle access management through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR). Moreover, 5G-enabled cameras with a 360-degree view at the quayside, coupled with AI-driven software, will revolutionize container inspection and identification processes, adding a layer of efficiency and security to operations.
“I believe that 5G is going to play a crucial role in helping Port of Tyne achieve our goals. We can streamline our operations, improve safety and sustainability, and drive growth and innovation throughout the entire maritime industry and beyond,” said Matthew Beeton, Chief Executive Officer, Port of Tyne.
Future applications to be implemented at the Port of Tyne include autonomous navigation, remote crane operations, connected land and sea drones, and wearable technology for training and maintenance.
“At Port of Tyne, it’s about taking people out of harm’s way, where autonomous machines could instead be used in dangerous environments, and laying the digital foundations to introduce new technologies and improve efficiency at the port,” said Ashish Gupta, MD, Corporate and Public Sector at BT.
Seaports are a major user of private cellular networks. Other examples include:
