A sea change of digital transformation at European Ports

In its report, the World Bank says there is an: “urgent need to…accelerate the pace of digitalisation so port communities offer electronic commerce and data exchange.” This is supported by the IAPH in its report, which says: “Sharing port and berth-related master data for just-in-time operation of ships [with] suppliers, logistics providers, cargo handling and clearance [will] save energy and improve safety as well as cutting costs and emissions.”

The IAPH represent more than 160 ports and 120 port-related businesses in eighty-seven countries. They understand more than most the challenges, and potential resolutions, around shipping logistics. Their ‘Call to Action’ white paper Accelerating Digitalisation, recognises the need for: “Emerging technologies [such as artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, internet of things, automation, autonomous systems] to allow port and marine employees to work and interact in the safest possible circumstances.”

One of the major stepping stones to achieving this goal is equipping workers with the appropriate mobile computing technology to take advantage of digitalising information. For example, potential use cases within the immediate dockside environment include communication with the port, traffic and cargo control, cargo inspection and tracking, and documentation. Similarly, quayside operations would benefit from suitable hand-held IT in unloading/loading operations, embedding devices in container-moving machinery, supervision of operations on the ground, oil tanks supervision.