Vertical: Seaports / Logistics
Application: Container terminal operations, mobile communications, automation readiness
Ecosystem: LMT (Latvijas Mobilais Telefons), Druid Software
Private Network: 5G
Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) and Druid Software have successfully deployed the first private 5G network in the Baltic region at the Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) within the Freeport of Riga, Latvia. This implementation represents a significant milestone in industrial connectivity for the region and showcases the potential of private 5G networks to solve complex operational challenges.
The Baltic Container Terminal, which spans 57 hectares and handles approximately 250,000 containers annually, faced numerous connectivity challenges with its previous Wi-Fi infrastructure. According to Dmitry Kiselyev, BCT’s Chief Operating Officer, “Our previous experience with Wi-Fi in larger outdoor and indoor areas at the terminal was not perfect. Weak coverage, data loss, and limited speed hindered our operations.”
The new private 5G network leverages Druid Software’s industrial-grade Raemis core platform, which has been designed specifically for mission-critical environments. This solution provides BCT with enhanced data transmission capacity, stable mobile connectivity, and significantly improved data security—all essential components for the complex logistics and real-time coordination required in container terminal operations.
The deployment includes a private 5G Core, two outdoor antennas, routers, specialized tablets, and smartphones with dedicated SIM cards that operate exclusively within the private network. This setup dramatically reduces infrastructure requirements compared to the previous solution, which relied on 22 access points mounted on high masts with fiber optic and electrical connections.
Kārlis Vilciņš, Head of LMT Systems integration business, emphasized the transformative nature of this implementation: “LMT’s private 5G network solution for BCT demonstrates the power of 5G technology to overcome complex challenges in demanding environments as a container terminal. We are proud to have delivered a future-proof network together with Druid Software that provides excellent coverage, high-speed data transmission, and significant connectivity improvements for BCT.”
One of the most significant advantages of this new network is the ability to maintain stable connections while moving across the terminal – a capability previously unavailable. The 5G private network enables vehicles and workers to stay connected while in motion, allowing for the replacement of outdated analog walkie-talkies with modern devices capable of transmitting not only voice but also data, images, and video.
Tadej Dragas, Regional Sales Director at Druid Software, highlighted the future potential of this deployment: “The deployment of the 5G private network will enable BCT to explore and adopt Industry 4.0 applications, improve operational efficiency, and drive new levels of productivity – powered by our Raemis platform.”
The impact has been immediate. According to LMT’s Kārlis Vilciņš, “Deploying a private 5G NPN across BCT’s expansive site delivered comprehensive coverage, faster data speeds, and significant cost savings by reducing the number of mast access points. Modern solutions like PTT replaced outdated analog radios, offering added functionality for image and video transmission.” These improvements have increased employee satisfaction, enhanced security, and minimized container handling time, ultimately reducing vessel idle time and boosting the terminal’s competitiveness.
Beyond the immediate operational improvements, the private 5G network provides enhanced security features. Only devices with special SIM cards can access the network, creating a physically segregated system that can be either connected to the public network or completely isolated for high-security requirements.
