25 July (Lloyd's List) - THESSALONIKI, the northern Greek port, has advanced its “smart port credentials” as well as its reefer container handling capabilities with a new wireless monitoring system.

Adopting RTE’s “GRASP” automated reefer monitoring platform along with “WRAD II” Bluetooth wireless devices will “revolutionise” reefer operations at the port, the port authority (ThPA) said.

The technology will be integrated into 400 reefer container points in the port, providing real-time reefer data access for terminal management across multiple user interfaces.

For US-based specialist RTE, which has provided systems to more than 100 terminals in 33 countries, as well as racking up more than 1,000 vessel installations, the contract marks a first terminal project in Greece.

The company was grateful for ThPA’s trust, said RTE head of sales Carlos Yassir.

“We can provide the port with a unique custom-made solution that seamlessly fits their existing layout and infrastructure,” he said.

Among the benefits of the system were “precise data management, historical record-keeping and real-time alerts to changes in reefer status”, according to ThPA.

“This initiative aims to further enhance operational efficiency, cargo integrity and occupational safety by providing innovative solutions for partners, meeting growing global demand and leveraging potential business opportunities related to the cold chain logistics market,” said the port’s ICT and digital transformation director, Spyros Nikolaou.

In addition to its container terminal, Thessaloniki is the country’s biggest transit port for conventional cargo.

A gateway to the Balkans and other southeast, central and eastern European markets, and offers direct rail connections with Bulgaria, Serbia and the North Macedonia.

ThPA has invested more than €71m since 2018 on upgrading the port.

The container terminal saw a record throughput of 520,048 teu last year.