The port and maritime transport sectors are immersed in a dynamic and uncertain scenario marked by a series of unprecedented challenges. Firstly, the positioning of ports as intermodal logistics hubs, at the epicenter of global logistics chains, determines the new role that these enclaves are destined to play. Their transformation process is an unavoidable issue and an absolute priority. The growing competitiveness of ports, the need to become resilient nodes that guarantee business continuity, the role to be played in the global energy transition and the arduous mission of providing a differential proposal of quality and high added value are good proof of this. It is in this context where innovation must emerge as a fundamental element that facilitates the adaptation to these challenges offered by the industry.
However, the high degree of disruption and unstoppable digital transformation of the sector is daily encountering a road full of obstacles when it comes to implementing new solutions, services and business models. Despite the fact that ports have proved to be excellent testing environments and embryos of new ideations and the attraction to the sector in recent years of the world of entrepreneurship, start-ups and technology companies; the consolidation of tangible results is not occurring at the expected pace, unlike what we can observe in other productive sectors.
On the other hand, it is worth noting the global shortage of digital talent, whose gap is accentuated in an industry such as logistics-port perhaps unknown to the general public.
Taking into consideration the two previous issues, i.e., the necessary digital transformation of the sector and the lack of digital talent in it, an ideal scenario is established so that, on the one hand, the Port Authority can develop, relying on technology, its objective of generating wealth and creating high-value employment. And, on the other hand, there is a unique opportunity to achieve the desired operational excellence and competitiveness as a differentiating factor.
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