Achieving data collaboration in a fragmented supply chain has proven to be challenging, despite the need for predictability in goods delivery. While centralized platform solutions have limitations, decentralized methods of data collaboration are promising but still in development. It is considered that true progress will come from sharing operational planning data among stakeholders for actionable insights. This could be built upon a trusted digital infrastructure, a network of networks, and thorugh adoption within supply chain ecosystems.
A federated approach to data collaboration is gaining traction, ensuring security, up-to-dateness, and control. A defined «logistics data space» comprising semantics, a trusted framework, and data space connectors, form the basis of this concept. However, broad implementation will require a feasible growth path towards global standards. The convergence of local networks, guided by initiatives such as the EU data act, can solve fragmentation and play a dominant role alongside centralized platforms.
Moreover, BCOs by demanding collaboration and improving planning options, can make change occur. Additionally, ports as neutral players optimizing import and export volumes, have a vested interest in resilient digital infrastructure due to local implications and decarbonisation demands. The ultimate goal would be established in building a network of networks that overcomes market fragmentation and seamlessly connects supply to demand, promoting sustainability in the long run.
“Integrated logistics is not just about visibility and being informed about any changes. It is about the ability to make supply chain management decisions in any part of the chain, for any logistics functions and at any location”
The main inputs and contributions are:
- Fierce maritime sector’s competition and fragmentation is hampering progress towards data collaboration and synchronous flows of goods. Nevertheless, it is strongly believed that predictability of supply chains can only be achieved through exchanging planning data, delivering actionable knowledge and proper digital infrastructure.
- Past multiple collaborative action in this field have proven their limitations. However, decentralized, more flexible and scalable approaches, to be developed, could shed some light and be the dominant role.
- This federated method shall be built upon trusted digital infrastructure, a network of networks and from commitment and true adoption in logistic chain ecosystems.
- Nowadays, it can be highlighted the action taken by the EU Data Act, which basics rely on data being stored within its owner (port terminal, Port Authority, etc.) and in a non-centralized method. Where trustful accesses are developed securely, and data quality assurance and up-to-dateness can be achieved.
- This method consists of logistics definitions, a way to identify companies and individuals for access to the data, and a protocol to exchange the data.
- Building trust upon local networks and communities is essential in this developments, moving from supply communities per product segments to port ecosystems.
- In the Dutch ports, a first version of this concept is being implemented by the local government as Basic Data Infrastructure for logistics processes. The approach taken in the Netherlands is to use the Port Community Systems as a ‘node’ for air- and sea freight, since many businesses are already connected in this trusted environment.
- Moreover, vertical integration in the maritime sector has signs to back up adoption if maritime and landside operations talk the same standards’ language.
- Additionally, some large front-running BCOs are currently demanding ports to enhance transparency and performance indicators regarding vessels and port’s operations, in order to obtain predictability for optimized planning and drive meaningful value creation in the supply chain. This mindset shift, implies a promising roadmap if traction is created too for small shippers.
- Ports play a relatively neutral role in the supply chain, optimizing all import and export volumes within the existing physical infrastructure. Resilience is a must, and not just to support port customers: for most ports, the local impact of congestion and new sustainability requirements are drivers at the forefront of harmonizing digital infrastructure.
“BCOs are approaching ports to open the ‘black box’ of ports’ intransparency. They urge for measuring performance of arriving ships, terminals and port operations.”
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