The British Ports Association (BPA) has partnered with the Port of Rotterdam to launch a jointly authored port digitalisation report.
The joint paper, titled ‘Move forward: step by step towards a digital port’, was published as part of the BPA’s Port Futures ‘thought leadership’ programme, an ongoing initiative whereby the association collaborates with industry partners and expert specialists to explore innovation and emerging trends throughout the maritime industry; and examines the current and future roles of digital technology across the numerous bodies operating within the port infrastructure.
The port digitalisation report highlights a number of currently ongoing digitalisation projects facilitating the process of operating ports such as the Port of Rotterdam’s Port Management System, which has reduced ship turnaround times by an average of 30 minutes; and proposes further developments in the sector. The report’s authors particularly highlight the importance of communication between port operators and their respective partners; and recommend a system of integrated technological solutions to streamline fully the communication process and reduce delays and gaps in the flow of information
British Ports Association Chief Executive Richard Ballantyne said: “We are delighted to be working with the Port of Rotterdam examining how smarter operations could deliver a wide range of benefits to the ports and logistics sectors in the UK and beyond. Smart port operations can offer new ways of improving port services and infrastructure by getting the most out of our assets and joining up different parts of the supply chain within and beyond ports. This paper sets out some of the benefits of smart operations and how ports can benefit. Ports of all sizes face similar challenges in adapting to new technologies and developments in the industries we serve. Smart port operations will give ports the edge in becoming greener and ultimately more efficient in serving the wide range of industries we support.”
