Efficiency gains are in automation

Speaking at TOC Europe, Ottonel Popesco said all ports are currently pushing for efficiency but the main challenge for ports now, and one which will aid efficiency, is automation.

“Automation is impacting safety, electrification and also has an impact on the environment. But not all the ports can automate as it is expensive.”

Safety key

For ports that don’t have the means to automate, Mr Popesco said they should focus on safety because if they are not automating then they need to research how to increase their moves per hour. “You need to do something, faster, quicker and better,” he stressed, noting that safety is an important part of this.

He added that while adopting existing technologies is not going to be transformational for ports in terms of efficiency, they shouldn’t be disregarded.

Ports should be proactive and take emissions-reducing action ahead of official regulations in Europe on ship electrification as this “is not a political issue, this is about the health of everyone living around the ports.”

More effort needed

While many ports are making strides in becoming more environmentally friendly, stated Mr Popesco, “the ports are still not doing enough.”

“There are a lot of ports which are at the forefront of technologies and the environment, on the US west coast, in Europe and the Baltic Seas but not everybody is investing enough and this is very, very important,” he added.

Ship owners need to collaborate with terminal operators to green operations, while manufacturers help by providing technologies, which ports should endeavour to understand, especially where electrification is concerned.