Port of Durban gets smarter

Its plans are parallel to the introduction of the Smart People’s Port concept.

The Port of Durban is embracing the ‘new’ industrial revolution having recently completed a three month ‘proof of concept’, providing a glimpse into a new era in port surveillance, monitoring and communication using wireless connectivity and equipment.

The ‘proof of concept’ exercise showed that drones can be used in a number of ways including inspecting infrastructure and the condition of the sea bed, which can be done safely without interrupting port operations. Also, it can assist in collecting information on port traffic.

Ristha Joga, information, management and services manager at Transnet National Ports Authority’s Port of Durban, said: “A Smart People’s Port will result in an efficient data-rich and information-rich ecosystem connecting port assets, port employees, terminal operators and the port community including road and rail.”

He added that it will also help the ports to achieve more focused, customer centric technology that will reduce the latency of information sharing and result in a better information decision-making process.