The majority of global trade in goods is carried out through maritime transport, making ports crucial hubs of activity. In this context, digitalization emerges as a solution aimed at improving maritime transport and logistics operations, generating social, economic, and environmental value.
But what can digitalization bring to ports that drives so many companies to focus on finding solutions? In short, ports can increase productivity, thanks to the optimization of various processes and operations; it also promotes decarbonization, by enabling faster ship operations and reducing unnecessary trips for management, thereby cutting down on emissions. Additionally, it creates added value for employees, customers, and shareholders.
At La Lonja de la Innovación we are aware of the important role that digitalization has in ports, for this reason we have a startup accelerator program in which we look for projects or companies that have innovative ability in the area of logistics port, among others, and that bring digitalization solutions to ports. In this way there are many startups that have already gone through our program or showroom and that applies digitalization to this sector. In this post we will talk about how digitalization is brought to the port sector, don’t miss it.
ICT Solutions in the ports
One way of bringing digitalization to ports is through technological applications or solutions and systems based on ICT, that is, information and communication technologies. Many ports already have implemented some of these technologies, such as:
- Port Single Window. A platform used for processes related to Declaratory Acts between declarants and administration. This system aims to ensure the secure movement of goods and transportation across borders.
- Port Management System (PMS). This platform eases the collection of information related to port operations and its analysis, bringing better decision making.
- Port Community System (PCS). Another electronic platform, on this occasion, it is a centralized system for the secure, smart and streamlined requests and documents management.
- Automatic Gate System (AGS). It is a system for pre-booking or allocating time slots for container deliveries. It helps plan truck arrival, avoid erroneous trips, reduce waiting times and lower emissions. Technologies such as image recognition are used to identify license plates, ISO containers and automated kiosks to streamline the process.
- Terminal Operating System (TOS). This system manages large container terminals. It plans and controls the arrival of ships, cargo handling, operations, access control and more.
- Intelligent Transport System (ITS). These applications aim to provide innovative services to the different transport methods and traffic management. They allow the users to be better informed and use transport networks more intelligently, sustainably and safely. These systems use various technologies for control, transmission, information processing, vehicle navigation, automatic license plate recognition, speed cameras, etc.
Key technologies for digitalization
Focusing now on technologies that are applied in the ports to achieve its digitalization, we can identify some of them that are providing numerous benefits, such as artificial intelligence, to which we have already dedicated a post in our blog. On this occasion we are going to focus on four technologies: internet of things, Big Data, Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and digital twins.
- Internet of things (IoT). This technology allows any everyday object to be transformed into a smart device connected to the Internet. The IoT has many uses in improving port management, as we discuss in this blog post, but it also brings challenges, such as the need for qualified personnel due to its complexity and increased attention to security to prevent cyberattacks.
- Big Data. Ports handle a vast amount of data daily, complicating the process and potentially leading to errors. This is where Big Data comes in. It is a new approach to understanding and decision-making that allows for quick and agile data capture, management, storage, and processing. This technology's control of information and data can reduce costs, and time, develop new products, enable informed and intelligent decisions, identify problems in real time and more. Big Data technologies improve port operations, where large volumes of data and multiple actors need to work in sync.
- Maritime Application of Remote Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Drones have significant potential across various industries and sectors, including ports. They provide a different perspective of the port space, enabling the inspection and observation of ports and accurate surface measurements. These systems enhance port security, productivity, and profitability, with applications such as:
- Monitoring environmental and ecological issues.
- Incident recognition.
- Controlling and calculating storage areas for bulk goods and containers.
- Inspecting equipment.
- Accessing difficult areas.
- Reducing inspection times.
- Digital Twins. These are digital representations of processes and objects that allow the simulation of different scenarios and actions, improving decision-making. This technology is being applied in ports to study the impact of actions on logistics chains, predict better alternatives, reorganize processes and more.
In conclusion, the digitalization of ports is not just a trend but a necessity to address the challenges ahead. With these technologies and those yet to come, the future of digital ports has much potential to explore.