SYSTEM

Visy RTG OCR

Vision-based container ID recognition that keeps your actual and digital yard inventories in sync.

Solutions and products Container Handling Visy RTG OCR

Each box recognized. Every lift verified. Containers exactly where they should be.

Visy RTG OCR is a camera-based system mounted on the RTG crane that captures the container ID on every lift with high accuracy. It reads the ID directly during the lifting cycle, without manual entry or added handling steps, and is compatible with any RTG crane make and model.

The system can be extended with options that cover the full container handover: spreader-mounted TopView OCR for reading IDs from the roof, LaneView long-side imaging for ISO codes and IMO labels, real-time twistlock detection, and terminal tractor or truck recognition via OCR, ANPR or RFID.

The captured ID is shared with the Position Detection System (PDS), which confirms where the container lands and updates the TOS in real time – keeping the physical yard aligned with the digital inventory.

Features

TopView – Spreader OCR
Visy TopView is an OCR camera system mounted on the spreader to read container IDs from the roof during lift events. Recognized IDs are automatically exchanged with the PDS and TOS – enabling accurate record in the yard inventory.

Visy TopView

LaneView – Imaging of long sides
PTZ or fixed cameras image the long sides of containers to increase recognition accuracy and capture ISO codes and IMO labels. Camera type is selected based on the use case, operational requirements, and environmental conditions – including demanding arctic and snowy environments.

Twistlock detection
Real-time camera-based detection identifies when twistlocks have been left attached to a container before a lift or stack operation. When locks are detected, the system integration with CCS stops the task immediately – preventing accidents, protecting equipment, and reducing the risk of cargo damage.

Terminal tractor recognition
The system can be equipped to recognize terminal tractor numbers (or license plate number for external trucks) using OCR or RFID, enabling automatic matching of vehicle and container data at the point of lift. This improves traceability, supports accurate job assignment, and reduces manual data entry.

Visy OCR – What We Recognize

Container ID
ISO code
Twistlocks
TT number / license plate
Dangerous goods labels

Every deployment is configured to fit your operations.

Hardware & System
The system is built around the Visy TopView OCR camera system, mounted on the spreader to capture container IDs on every lift. If longside imaging is required, the system is equipped with Visy PTZ or fixed OCR cameras to image the long sides of containers. For terminals where twistlock detection is needed, dedicated cameras and illuminators are added to monitor the corner castings in real time. All hardware is selected to match the operational environment, including demanding outdoor and arctic conditions.
Software & Applications
Visy Crane Gate is the user application that gives operators a direct, real-time view of container handling events – including recognized IDs, lift records, and system alerts. The on-site crane server runs the OCR engine and manages all recognition tasks, processing events in parallel and ensuring data is available for integration without delay.
Integrations
The system integrates with the Position Detection System (PDS) to complement location data with the container ID on every lift and set event. Recognized IDs and lift records are also passed to the Terminal Operating System (TOS), keeping the digital yard inventory aligned with what is actually happening on the crane. For twistlock detection, the system interfaces with the Crane Control System (CCS) to stop operations automatically when locks are detected.
Configurations & Options
Terminal tractor recognition can be added using OCR-based license plate reading or RFID, enabling automatic vehicle-to-container matching at the point of lift. The system supports both new crane deliveries and retrofits across all major RTG and ASC types, with flexible connectivity options to fit existing crane infrastructure.

Utilizing vision technology in RTG operations means every container move is recorded and reflected in the yard inventory.

Three data points. One reliable yard inventory.

Reduce wasted moves and rehandles

Eliminate ghost containers and inventory errors

Increase equipment utilization and lifts per hour

Improve vessel turnaround times

When OCR, PDS, and TOS work together, the impact is immediate and compounding. After each lift, Visy RTG OCR identifies the container being handled and shares it with the PDS. After set, the PDS confirms the location where the container landed. The TOS receives an update with the container ID and destination – keeping inventory accurate without manual input.

This integration tackles the traditional failure points of PDS alone: picking the wrong container from a 2x20ft trailer due to GPS inaccuracies, placeholder codes assigned to containers that shouldn’t be there, locations showing a container that isn’t there – or one with the wrong ID. All of this is automatically corrected as containers are handled, rather than discovered in costly audits.

Over time, the result is a yard inventory that reflects reality – and a terminal that can focus on moving containers rather than finding them.

Built for operational impact.

  • Increase accuracy in container moves
  • Improve safety at the point of lift
  • Record every lift

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