Introduction
The Logistics Bottleneck
A TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) from Lisbon to Acajutla requires an average transit time of 14 days, with an average of 7 manual operations per container during the transfer from the pier to the hold. The current maneuvering system in YILPORT terminals is based on traditional fossil fuel RTG (Rail-Mounted Gantry) cranes, which consume an average of 120 liters of diesel for every 500 container movements. This operation runs at an average utilization rate of 68%, but the lack of automation results in average daily delays of 3.4 hours during operating shifts. The unit handling cost per TEU exceeds $19.50 in terms of energy and labor.
The physical size of the problem lies in the combination of limited operational efficiency and increasing pressure on emission budgets. The current system is no longer economically sustainable: every day lost to delays incurs an additional estimated cost of $21,800 per terminal. These inefficiencies accumulate across a network that handles over 3.7 million TEU annually among the four ports involved.
Port Infrastructure Redeployment
YILPORT has ordered 53 E-Hybrid RTG cranes from Konecranes, with delivery scheduled over two years. The plan involves installing 10 automated cranes at the Liscont Container Terminal and another 10 at Leixões Port, both in Portugal; 18 units for the Acajutla terminal in El Salvador; and 15 for Takoradi in Ghana. The automated systems integrate Konecranes Auto-Gantry technology, which enables movements without human supervision and a positioning accuracy of less than one millimeter.
The transition to low-emission automation reduces energy consumption per every 700 movements from 120 liters to 34 liters, representing a 71% reduction. The unit handling cost decreases to $13.80. Furthermore, the average latency during operating shifts drops to less than 50 minutes, with a 69% reduction in daily delays. The effective terminal capacity increases by 27%, thanks to the optimization of internal routes and the ability to operate continuously between shifts.
Strategic Leverage: Automation as a Competitive Differentiator
The strategic intervention is not limited to improving energy efficiency, but concerns the revitalization of YILPORT’s competitive position in emerging markets. Terminals in Africa and Central America are subject to increasing pressure from European environmental authorities to reduce emissions from maritime transport. The adoption of E-Hybrid technologies allows the operator to meet the requirements of the Green Shipping Corridor, a regional agreement that mandates the use of low-emission equipment by 2030.
The reconfiguration is not only a response to the market: it is a strategic offering. Customers with sustainability needs, such as large European retailers operating in the fashion and electronics sectors, are willing to pay a premium of 12% for services certified in terms of CO₂ avoided. This paradigm shift transforms the terminal from a logistics hub into a platform for environmental credibility.
Impact on Operating Margin
The average cost per TEU, reduced from $19.50 to $13.80 thanks to automation and lower energy consumption, represents a net 29% improvement in operating spread. This does not translate into a simple reduction in expenses: the increased effective capacity allows YILPORT to handle an additional volume of approximately 180,000 TEU per year without additional investment in infrastructure.
The difference is reflected in the impact on working capital: the average container dwell time at terminals decreases from 5.2 to 3.7 days, corresponding to a 28% reduction in net inflow. The Impact KPI represents an improvement in gross operating margin of +14.6%, calculated as the difference between the benchmark average logistics cost and the new level achieved after implementing the E-Hybrid cranes.