Articles of Interest and Trends

Organisations’ digitisation has moved forward five years in just the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the issues many organisations have faced was inertia creeping into their decision-making processes. In this context, we have seen that data analytics is already much more than just a tool that gives us quicker access to […]
The port and maritime industry has evolved and from the 2010s have entered into a fifth stage of evolution characterized by their digital transformation and alignment with Industry 4.0 practices. Co-operation among agents is a key element and integration not only involves Port Authorities, Terminals and Port users and related Port Services Providers but the […]
Shipping has a dual challenge. It must meet the demand of the world’s growing population, with more ships and more voyages, while radically reducing its emissions. Sustainable challenges have been addressed worldwide and IMO’s ambitious goals to cut green-house gas and carbon emissions impacts the shipping industry at every possible scale, including cleaner fuels, new […]
Traditionally, ports have been crucial nodes in the world’s international supply chains. As those supply chains have become increasingly fast, flexible and responsive, the role of ports has been transformed. Geographical location is no longer the only factor that counts. The speed, efficiency and reliability of transport flows, as well as the ease with which […]
According to experts, it is time to focus on green hydrogen, i.e. hydrogen produced from renewable sources and more specifically by electrolysis, converting water into hydrogen and oxygen molecules using renewable sources, such as surplus wind power. As the energy transition progresses, it is becoming increasingly important among the technological solutions for decarbonization, especially in […]
Even before the current COVID-19 crisis, wireless communication technology was making headlines. Much of the recent interest has focused on 5G mobile data networks that are being rolled out in many countries. 5G promises a host of benefits for end users, businesses, and telecommunications systems operators alike, including higher speeds, greater capacity, and tailored services […]
Ports are taking significant strides with digital transformation and starting to declare themselves as “smart“. Processes are digitalized, communities within the port are connected, and impressive gains in operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and customer satisfaction are emerging. Smart ports, as important nodes in the global supply chain, have the opportunity to establish themselves as logistics […]
PCL is a new concept, which largely refers to the transformation of the port into a space of supply chain innovation and collaboration. To meet current challenges, and prepare for future ones, ports and terminals must transform their operations. In doing so, they must become more sustainable and promote collaboration. In practice, this means making data […]
Global emergencies such as the recent coronavirus outbreak and its massive impact on the economy show the need to immediately rethink existing supply chain thinking. The popular and established strategies work, but only when they are not disrupted, and we live in a world where disruptive events are ironically becoming the norm. In this context, conventional […]
Summary: Culture hacking takes change off the horizon and inserts it into employees’ day-to-day life in a visceral, immediate, low-effort way. CIOs can follow a six-step process to kick off or reignite change and embed culture hacking in an overall culture change effort. The first step of any culture change, whether it involves hacking or […]
With improved communication technology comes improved maritime communication. 5G is expected to facilitate the roll-out of smart drones that can return real-time monitoring of ships entering and leaving ports and improve ship-shore communications for ship traffic. In addition to providing a better connectivity for the internet of things sensors that can assist in search and […]
The MIL is part of the broader MPA Living Lab efforts and consists of both physical and digital aspects to serve as a co-creation platform for innovation. The purpose-built facility will create an environment that enables experimentation and the test-bedding of innovative port services and intelligent ship operations. It also supports the Sea Transport Industry […]
Summary: Algeciras Port Authority is developing next steps to consolidate the technology investment programs to impact business mainstream and transform the port into a seamless (end-to-end logistic integrated), operational excellent (no idle time at port´s scale) and intelligent (data-driven) logistic node. Particularly, Algeciras Port Authority is working towards an integral platform for full visibility, idle […]
Support for massive internet of things (IoT) is one of the three primary 5G use cases the other two are to enhance the mobile broadband and mission critical communications. Ports around the world are implementing trial 5G networks with the goal of enabling fast and high bandwidth communication. Ultimately, they seek to automatize commonplace […]
Summary: A start-up ecosystem is a self-governing habitat that is shaped much like a market, in that it cannot be meticulously controlled. Unlike a market, it can however be steered in a favourable direction. In the March 2017 issue of Journal of Transport Geography, Patrick Witte et al. discuss the relationship between ports, cities and […]
The study entitled, “Competitive Gain in the Ocean Supply Chain: Innovation Thats Driving Maritime Operational Transformation” and completed by BPI (Business Performance Innovation) in collaboration with NVIS and XVELA, examines and debates how the logistical chain and maritime supply is facing the challenges and technological challenges and the new business models of the industry. The […]
The article “Port Productivity: Finding new efficiencies through collaboration” gives a summary of the main conclusions that were reached in the Workshop on Port Productivity organized in Hamburg at the end of 2016. In this event, the main Port Authorities, Terminal Operators, Shipping Companies and technological suppliers participated. the focus on identifying obstacles, needs, as […]
The new system with blockchain technology called TBSx3 and of Australian origin has been successfully tested in the logistics chain that runs between the wine region of Coonawarra, in Southern Australia, and the port of Qingdao, in Northwestern China. Among the partners that participated in the pilot test were the terminal operator DP World Australia, the logistic operator DB Schenker, the Hamburg […]
The PSA Singapore Corporation, one of the largest terminal operators at the international level, with the support of the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Port-Maritime Authority of Singapore (MPA) have created a «Living Lab» to improve the efficiency of operations in the terminals of the Port of Singapore. The PSA Living-Lab laboratory will allow […]
IBM, one of the technological giants with more experience in Blockchain, and the Maersk Group, leader in container transport, announce a collaboration to digitize and expedite international trade transactions through the use of blockchain technology. The proposed solution will significantly streamline document management and bureaucratic controls, reduce fraud in customs controls and errors in annotations, […]
The Globcurrent project of the ESA (European Spatial Agency) has merged the different measurements to generate an image of the daily sea currents during the last 24 years. Shipping companies may use this information to understand the characteristics of surface circulation in certain regions and obtain data in near real time, so that they can […]