Mobile plant safety for ports and container terminals
Ports and container terminals involve large mobile plant, variable visibility, outdoor conditions and high-consequence worker interaction zones. SonaSafe helps sites assess and configure proximity detection for container handling environments where camera-only systems may struggle with glare, weather, distance, obstructions and complex movement patterns.
Where risk commonly appears
Reach stackers, container handlers, terminal tractors and other CHE operating near workers.
Container stacks, vehicle blind spots and large equipment creating obstructed visibility.
Changing light, glare, sea spray, rain, dust and night operations reducing visual reliability.
Lashing, Hatchman, twist-locks, maintenance, supervision and gate areas where people may be close to moving equipment.
High-value cargo, high-consequence incidents and complex site rules requiring reliable data and governance.
Specific features developed in partnership with leading ports & container terminal companies
Spreader Crane System
Our spreader crane solution is designed to protect operators and ground crews working beneath suspended loads in port and container-handling environments. The system monitors critical zones around the spreader and load path, detecting people and mobile plant in areas where visibility is limited. When a warning or stop zone is breached, real-time alerts are delivered to both the crane operator and nearby personnel, helping prevent strike, crush and drop-zone incidents during lifting, lowering and positioning operations.
Hoist 6 Sounder System
Our container hoist solution is designed to protect operators and ground crews in high-risk stacking and transfer zones. The system monitors blind spots around the hoist and alerts both the operator and nearby personnel the moment a warning or stop zone is breached. These real-time alerts help prevent collisions during lifts, lowers and travel movements, giving crews immediate, actionable feedback that reinforces safe behaviour in fast-moving port environments.
Straddle 8 Sounder System
SonaSafe’s straddle sounder solution is built for the unique visibility challenges of tall, fast-moving machines operating in busy container stacks. The system continuously monitors the zones beneath and around the straddle, alerting both the operator and nearby ground crew the moment a warning or stop zone is breached. These real-time alerts help prevent crush, strike and run-over incidents giving teams immediate feedback that supports safer movements in high-traffic port environments.
Light Vehicle Unit
SonaSafe’s Light Vehicle Units extend proximity detection and collision avoidance capability to utes, vans and site support vehicles operating within port environments. The system monitors surrounding pedestrians and mobile plant, delivering real time alerts when warning or stop zones are breached. By bringing consistent safety controls to light vehicles, SonaSafe helps reduce vehicle-on-vehicle and vehicle-on-pedestrian incidents, improving visibility, compliance and predictable movement across busy worksites.
GPS Geofencing
SonaSafe’s GPS geofencing capability enables the creation of virtual safe zones across port and container handling environments. By defining geofenced areas based on location and risk profile, the system can automatically trigger alerts, adjust exclusion zones, or enforce speed controls when vehicles enter high-risk or restricted zones. This location based safety layer helps manage traffic flow, protect pedestrians, and reinforce site rules providing consistent, auditable control across large, dynamic port operations.
Container Survey Area
SonaSafe enhances visibility in container survey areas by monitoring pedestrian and vehicle movements in real time, reducing the blind spots created by container stacks, equipment positioning and shifting cargo. Ground users receive instant alerts when warning or stop zones are breached, helping prevent collisions during inspections and survey operations. SonaSafe also supports camera-AI integration with third-party visual systems, creating a complete safety picture.
Speed Controls
SonaSafe provides intelligent speed control that automatically adjusts vehicle speed based on its location and the surrounding risk profile. When a vehicle enters a high-risk zone such as pedestrian areas, tight stacking lanes or blind intersections the system can reduce speed to a preset safe limit. This helps prevent collisions, supports consistent operator behaviour, and creates predictable, controlled movement across the site without relying solely on driver judgement.
Data that helps safety and operations teams act
SonaSafe reporting helps teams identify repeat-risk zones, review proximity events, engage workers with visual evidence and support toolbox meetings with data rather than anecdotes. It also gives executives and site leaders a clearer view of leading indicators, rather than waiting for lagging injury statistics.
Assess mobile plant interaction risk in your terminal
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