What is The Future of SMART TERMINAL TECH ?

Today's container terminals have multiple solutions deployed in order to run and manage their operations. Core Solutions have always been deployed at a local level from :-

• Terminal Operating Solutions
• 4 /5 G Data Systems
• IOT Tracking and Tagging Systems
• Asset Management Systems
• Berthing and Yard Optimization
• Security Systems
• Digital Positioning Systems
• OCR Gate and Yard Monitoring
• ERP's

The list of tech is endless, however terminals are starting to look at ways to improve their operations and cut the costs of delivering their services.

Full and Semi Automated facilities have been around for the past 25 years and of course with newer machinery and better control systems higher levels of efficiency can be achieved.

But fully autonomous terminals will soon become the norm with all functions such as :-

• Operations
• Engineering
• Vessel Handling
• Planning and optimization

Although their is still a reluctance by some terminal operators to move away from manned facilities, the drive for 24x7x365 with minimal downtime will become the norm. The leap in secure communications allowing Operators to run their business in a virtual mode is coming. We have already seen tier One Terminal Groups moving towards centralizing parts of their operations from :-

• Vessel Planning
• Gate Controls
• Yard Planning
• ERP (Finance / Resource Planning / Procurement / Asset Management )
• Engineering and Training can all be conducted in a virtual mode these days with experts and the use of IOT and VR systems to control and oversea inspections and repairs.
• Machinery can provide real time analytics that can be channeled and vital information on performance and running costs all monitored at a Corporate Level.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are gradually becoming more common and Terminal Groups are looking at all areas of their business that can squeeze higher levels of efficiency. We are all too aware that Terminal Handling Rates might see marginal increases in line with inflation, these increases will be met by greater demands from the Ocean Carriers for higher levels of discounting as they look at increasing their levels of TEU throughputs.

That leaves Terminal Operators in a quandary - the capital investments of their terminal enterprises have to be written down over a 25 year period. Capex and OPEX are always on the minds of the Terminals Corporate Management Team. Juggling investment against financial returns.

So if I were to polish my crystal ball i would see that traditional Terminal Operating Solutions will evolve. Driven by newer frameworks for technology that is both agile in design and flexible to scale and adept to an ever changing business will be critical. I believe the future will be highly secure centralized systems that are run totally automated, with artificial decision making, the terminals themselves will see full automated electric or hydrogen powered machinery, the vessels we are already seeing are heading towards crewless operations. These radical changes is creating waves across what is still a highly conservative industry. A lot has changed since Noah first put to sea, but the industry is being driven by new factors those being :-

• Climate Change - The need to become greener and cleaner.
• Rapid Expansion in the Container Sector - Yes Year on Year growth has slowed a little but for certain the industry will continue to grow, especially as world populations live longer.
• MONEY - Yep Operators are looking at reducing their costs and squeezing greater results out of their capital investment.
• An Aging Port Industry - limited fresh Blood coming into our Industry - the good old days when Shipping was one of the staple industries along with Insurance and Banking have changed.
• Technology is becoming smarter and cheaper with more tangible results.

So those are my thoughts of the week !! I am always looking to engage and listen to opinions as an Independent Shipping Consultant with over 40 years of being involved in this business I have seen a lot and learnt a lot, but one thing we cannot stop is change and this Industry is ripe to begin its next evolution.