In a global context where efficiency and sustainability have become strategic priorities for maritime transport, the port sector is moving decisively towards the implementation of Just-in-Time operations. This approach seeks to minimize waiting times and downtime and to optimize the use of resources through better coordination between the different actors involved in the vessel call process. Within this framework, the development of the Port Collaborative Decision Making (PortCDM) concept, a concept adapted from the airport business, which promotes the transparent and standardized exchange of information in real time between shipping lines, terminals, Port Authorities and service providers, takes on special relevance.
In particular, the Port Authority of the Bay of Algeciras (APBA) has been a pioneer in promoting this concept in the maritime-port industry. The challenges of collaborative decision-making began to be addressed at the Port of Algeciras in 2017 as part of the collaboration of the then newly created Port Call Optimization Taskforce and the innovative pilot project “Pit-Stop Port Operations Algeciras”. Both initiatives laid the solid foundations necessary to support the development and implementation of this type of platform at the Port of Algeciras.
During the week of May 26-30, the APBA has had an outstanding participation in two international meetings in the field of optimization of ship calls. Represented by Jesús Medina, Head of the Technological Development Area, the Port Authority has had the opportunity to share its strategic and innovative vision, in addition to the tangible advances that the cutting-edge digital platform “Posidonia PortCDM”, developed by the technology company Provedelop, is promoting in the Algeciras enclave.
The first of these events was the second annual plenary meeting of the Port Call Optimization Network (PCO Network), held in Valencia from May 26 to 28, organized by the Valenciaport Foundation in collaboration with TIC4.0 and the European projects MISSION and DYNAPORT.
In his speech, Medina reviewed the trajectory of the Port of Algeciras in the adoption of this collaborative management model, highlighting its transformative impact on the maritime-port ecosystem of the Bay. He also highlighted key aspects for the success of these tools, such as the need for a “single point of truth” of operational data, the significant change of mentality to achieve a holistic and common approach to the objectives, the adoption of international standards or the transcendent flexibility to adapt to the way of working of the different stakeholders.
The PCO Network is an independent coalition of industry players working to standardize the exchange of nautical, operational and administrative data throughout all phases of the port call. In this context, the draft of the new “Port Call Optimization Guide” was presented, a reference guide that seeks to harmonize practices between shipping lines, terminals and Port Authorities.
The meeting brought together more than 90 representatives of strategic ports worldwide – among them Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremen/Bremerhaven, Algeciras and Tangier – together with leading international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) or the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), among others. The event was also attended by technology companies specialized in digital solutions for the maritime-port sector, nautical and maritime service providers, as well as initiatives focused on the optimization of port calls.
In addition, on May 29, Medina intervened in the webinar organized by the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA LATAM), entitled “Just-in-Time landings: reflection on logistics models and innovation in port operations”. On this occasion, his presentation transcended the focus of the implementation of the PortCDM tool for container traffic, showing how the digital ambition of the Next Generation Algeciras Port is extending the PortCDM model, in combination with optimization tools based on Artificial Intelligence, to other areas such as bunkering operations and RoRo and RoPAX traffic in the port of Algeciras.
The conference, part of a series of AAPA LATAM logistics panels, explored the impact that the “just in time” port calls model can have on the efficiency and operational innovation of Latin American ports. Medina was joined by experts such as Javier Guarch, Sales Manager of Infoport, and Guillermo Misiano, CEO of PTP Group Logistics.
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