Double port capacity without doubling land

The German port’s smartPORT concept employs modern IT-supported transport and communications systems to accelerate and co-ordinate traffic and trade flows in the port.

At the heart of the system is a cloud-based information and communications system designed by SAP and T-Systems called SPL. Port stakeholders can share transport, infrastructure and logistics data in real time through a web application and a mobile app.

Hamburg’s smartPORT concept is being further supported by a CISCO-led pilot project designed to showcase what the Internet of Things will mean for the future of ports. This project brings together various devices, including sensors and cameras, to collect, analyse and aggregate data to support faster decision-making at the port.

“In Hamburg, smart stands for the intelligent transfer of information between all the port stakeholders,” said Jens Meier, chairman of the management board, Hamburg Port Authority.

In reference to the smartPORT project, Enak Ferlemann, parliamentary state secretary at the Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development, said: “We are watching with great interest as the port of Hamburg transforms into a smart port; this project will change the face of logistics in Germany.”

Speaking at the IAPH world conference in Hamburg, the official went on to describe the German transport network as “one of the best developed” in Europe. However, he acknowledged the profound changes in the port sector since 2009 and spoke of today’s new challenges.

“Forecasts predict that the volume of cargo handled by German ports will increase by 2.5% annually to 2030. We want to enable ports to meet the economical and logistical challenges of the future.”

To this end, the ministry has set a year-end deadline to deliver a new national port strategy.