News in brief: November/December 2024: Digital

GreenPort Congress	World Ports Conference	Coastlink Conference

GreenPort Congress is a meeting place for the port community to discuss and learn the latest in sustainable environmental practice. It offers ways to reduce their carbon foot print and be more sensitive to environmental considerations, both of which are vital to future success.	The annual World Ports Conference brings together global port leaders and key stakeholders from the shipping sectors to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the maritime industry. This year’s #IAPH2026 will be held in London, UK, offering a programme of plenary, breakout and workshop sessions and a gala dinner celebrating the IAPH Sustainability Awards.	Coastlink is a neutral pan-European network dedicated to the promotion of short sea and feeder shipping, and the intermodal transport networks through the ports that support the sector. It is a place for industry professionals to meet and discuss future innovation, economic and environmental considerations – and develop partnerships that will help build a sustainable future.
Visit the GPC Website	Visit the WPC Website	Visit the Coastlink Website

A round up of Port Strategy November/December 2024 issue’s digital news.

SAAM AI Deal
SAAM Terminals has entered into a global collaboration deal with Next Port AI to implement its platform which combines digital twin and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Next Port AI connects the terminal operating system (TOS) and other critical systems, while meeting industry standards, to support decision making activities in a terminal’s control room to maximise asset performance. SAAM is implementing the service in two pilots programmes across its port network.

Riga Pass System
A new digital access and pass system has been introduced throughout the Port of Riga. It means that all visitors and freight vehicles enter the Latvian port by making an appointment electronically and submitting and checking documents digitally instead of using a paper-based system. “The electronic port access system is only the first stage on the way to the comprehensive digitisation of the Port of Riga’s cargo flow,” said Ansis Zeltiņš, CEO, Freeport of Riga.

OneStop Extension
OneStop has confirmed it is extending its collaboration with Tyne ACFS to deliver logistics solutions for its operations in New Zealand. In the deal Tyne ACFS is adopting OneStop’s Vehicle Booking System (VBS) at the Auckland Depot. When combined with its OneStop Modal solution’s real-time tracking and optimised workflows, this system will reportedly support efficient operations for up to 3500 TEU on-site, assuring smooth container movements and shorter turnaround times as part of supply chain efficiency and resilience.

Singapore Digital Bunkers
Singapore is going to be the first port in the world to be fully digital for bunkering. Dr. Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Transport for the government said the new process will be effective from April 1, 2025. From this date, all bunker suppliers in Singapore port must provide digital bunkering services and issue electronic bunker delivery notes (e-BDN). As a result, efficiency and transparency of the bunkering process is expected to save an estimated 40,000 man-days annually and remove all paper transactions.

PCS Guide is Go
The World Bank and IAPH have jointly development a new report offering a guide to setting up and operating a Port Community System. It is titled “Port Community Systems: Lessons from Global Experience.” The World Bank states that many low and middle income countries “face technical and financial constraints” to the adoption of PCS and as a result risk “falling further behind as advances in digital technology accelerate.” This report delivers a step-by-step guide to setting up and operating a PCS, including detailed case studies.

Automated Burgas
BMF Port Burgas has confirmed the introduction of Gate Automation Technology at its Advanced Container Terminal (ACT) in Burgas, Bulgaria. The terminal has undertaken the project in partnership with DSP and AllRead and is targeting the streamlining of operational processes, including Optical Character Recognition (OCR) access control through to seamless integration with its Terminal Operating System (TOS). DSP led the integration of AllRead’s OCR technology with the NAVIS N4 TOS in the process.

VFPA Central Scheduling
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) has expanded its centralised maritime traffic scheduling system to span the whole Burrard Inlet and to coordinate over 5000 cargo vessels in the waterway annually. This new centralised scheduling system was developed in collaboration with DHI SeaPort OPX and incorporates advanced digital modelling to cover weather predictions and tides to deliver planning optimisation for 23 of the port’s 29 major terminals and two-thirds of all deep-sea traffic.

Mawani/HPA MOU
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Hamburg Port Authority and Hamburg Port Consulting have signed a new MOU to collaborate on innovation in port management. The arrangement will jointly-focus on innovation in port operations, port development, and workforce capacity issues. The aim is to focus on greater use of digitalisation, port AI, automated logistics, advanced data-driven solutions, and optimisation of transport infrastructure to improve port efficiencies and improve resilience for smarter, greener ports.