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“New technologies that are transforming the management of container and cargo ports”

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Containers and cargo ports are key infrastructures for international trade. The rapid growth of global commerce has led to an increase in the volume of goods moving through these infrastructures, generating the need to improve efficiency and control in their management. But what is currently being done to achieve this? Here is a summary of the most important technologies in port management:

Terminal Operating Systems (TOS). 

These systems allow container port operators to control and supervise port operations, from the arrival and departure of ships to the loading and unloading of containers on land. TOS is a comprehensive solution that provides a complete view of the port and enables operators to make more informed and efficient decisions.

Among the benefits of using TOS are reduced waiting times, improved efficiency in planning container loading and unloading, and increased port capacity. A successful example of TOS implementation is the Port of Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe. The implementation of TOS in Rotterdam has reduced waiting times for ships and increased port capacity to handle more containers.

Another technology that is increasingly being used in the shipping industry is the Internet of Things (IoT). 

IoT allows port operators and customers to track and monitor the location of goods in real time. This helps improve transparency and visibility in the supply chain, which in turn helps prevent theft and loss of cargo or containers.

In addition, IoT is also used for predictive maintenance. IoT sensors can monitor equipment conditions and detect problems before they become serious faults. This allows port operators to schedule preventive maintenance instead of having to perform expensive repairs on damaged equipment. A successful example of IoT implementation is the Port of Hamburg, where IoT is used to monitor the temperature of perishable goods containers.

Image recognition technology and data analysis This is another technology being used in the shipping industry to improve efficiency in loading and unloading containers. This includes the use of surveillance cameras and image analysis software to monitor container movement and detect problems in real time. For example, the Port of Singapore uses surveillance cameras to monitor container movement and prevent collisions.

Robotics 

The implementation of robotics has also been part of the digital transformation of ports, as robots can assist in loading and unloading containers, reducing the need for labor and increasing efficiency in the loading and unloading process. For example, the Port of Qingdao in China uses robots for container loading and unloading in an automated terminal, which has significantly improved productivity and efficiency.

In conclusion, the adoption of new technologies such as TOS, IoT, image recognition and data analysis, and robotics are allowing container and cargo ports to improve efficiency and control in their management. These technologies enable better supervision of operations, process optimization, reduced waiting times, and prevention of cargo losses, while optimizing resources and increasing net income.

 

Port of Singapore a world leader

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At the end of the year, the Asian Freight, Logistics, and Supply Chain (Aflas) awards were held to recognize the best seaports in the world. 

The AFLAS annually brings together the most important companies in the logistics, supply chain, and cargo sectors. The best ports worldwide are awarded, taking into consideration innovation, service, quality, and consistency, as well as reliability. 

This year, those in charge of selecting the best suppliers awarded the Port of Singapore as the winner of “Best Global Seaport”, due to its efficiency in the sector for complying in efficiency with the supply chain and being cataloged as a leader in maritime transformation. In addition, the Port of Singapore was also ranked as the Best Port in Asia for the 34th time. 

Worldwide recognition 

As mentioned above, this award, held annually, also recognizes the work of ports worldwide, such as the Port of Hamburg, which won “Best Seaport – Europe” for the third consecutive year. 

On the other hand, other ports were awarded by region and different categories, among which the following stand out: 

  • Best seaport in the Middle East: Port of Jebel Ali.
  • The best seaport in North America, the East, and the Gulf Coast region is the Port of Houston.
  • Best seaport in Oceania: is the Port of Auckland.
  • Best global shipping line: CMA CGM.
  • Best Logistics Service Provider – Sea: CEVA Logistics.
  • Best green seaport: HAROPA, Port of Le Havre.

 Port of Singapore, the leader at sea

 The Port of Singapore is known worldwide in the maritime sector in areas such as competitiveness, reliability, and efficiency. 

 In addition, it has a privileged geographical location that facilitates communication with routes all over the world. Also, it has managed to position itself as one of the ports that use Artificial Intelligence and other technologies to manage its port services. 

 This is just a glimpse of the broad spectrum of the maritime world and the efforts to carry forward the technological transformation in the sector. 

 

These and other news about the maritime and aviation world at GP NAUTICALS. 

 

Technological development in seaports

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The growth of seaports is imminent, every day ports face new challenges that invite them to reinforce their infrastructures and look for new mechanisms and innovate old systems. 

With the consolidation of maritime trade, new transport routes have been opened, an increased number of containers, and new ports that require the optimization of processes amid an ecosystem full of competencies that seeks to minimize human error and sustainability over time.

With this, it is expected that in the medium term, seaports will have to implement certain automation to maintain their sustainability, effectiveness, and efficiency over time. 

Likewise, several of the components of the port sector are already working to implement the automation of maritime containers, autonomous ships, intelligent port warehouses, and more. These are just some of the technological innovations that are expected in the coming years.

Now, all the challenges are positive, and the demand for automation in the processes will help to generate greater safety and efficiency within each of the processes. This involves not only an investment in structure but also in intelligent resources, training and cybersecurity software to safeguard data. 

Less paper and more digitalization 

The changes at the port level will be progressive and adapted to the needs of each seaport. However, the administrative part also deserves digitization to boost the development of a port and thus ensure the optimization of each of the maritime operations. 

That is why, GP Nauticals has developed NAUTIC AIMS, designed to unify maritime and land operations, in a software that manages port revenues, through technologies that allow to collect and analyze information that will also help to measure the performance of ports. 

This SUITE product can also be integrated with PAY AIMS, the software that allows you to manage the payment and collection of invoices through innovative systems that adapt to the needs of each organization. 

 

If you want to keep reading about the latest developments in automation in the port and aeronautical sector, keep browsing our blog. 

 

Logistics in times of expansion

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The growth and expansion of the different sectors around the world, are currently influenced by the economic ecosystem we are going through.

For some months, economic instability has been involved in the potential development of the different commercial sectors, which has generated other ways of recovery, to be able to weigh the imbalance left by the pandemic. 

One of the sectors that have had to look for other alternatives is the logistics systems, where both the shipping and aeronautical sectors are involved. 

Logistics operations globally are seeking to consolidate their bases to prevent events that may present themselves from generating crises within the transportation channels. 

That is why many not only seek to trade with new routes, they are looking to supply their distribution chains to overcome setbacks. New alliances are also essential to boost logistics operations. 

In an environment full of competition, the development of new technologies is necessary to make business meetings and achieve the necessary objectives to maintain quality standards in the development of aeronautical and maritime concessionaires. 

Technologies for the development of new opportunities…

Behind the logistics operations in seaports and airports, many processes must be followed for the functioning of the infrastructure. 

In this sense, one of the most important roles is the invoicing process. Manual logistics has become a tedious process, and in the middle of the technological universe, immediacy is vital to meet administrative commitments. 

Consequently, GP Nauticals and the SUITE AIMS were born, which offers an efficient solution for the collection processes, in the maritime and aeronautical sectors. 

This SUITE consists of several technological software that are integrated to obtain immediate results and that allows managing safely and simply, the payments of concessions and invoices that are generated within the maritime and aeronautical environment. 

PAY AIMS is one of our main collection software with which you can review your invoices and integrate different payment methods to manage them immediately. This way, you will be able to meet your requirements and optimize waiting times. 

 

Want to learn more about SUITE AIMS? Just go to our products section.

NAUTIC AIMS port management software

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For some years now, the maritime sector has been growing by leaps and bounds. Maritime transport has become the international transport channel, with great affluence on the main commercial routes. 

From the container crisis to shipping delays worldwide, these are some of the determining factors that major ports have taken to expand and improve their infrastructure, physical and administrative. 

Now, what is behind the management of a port? Undoubtedly, it goes beyond transporting shipments. Efficient development relies on good logistics and compliance with permits and safety regulations. 

In addition, management is not only about the sea lanes. Also about non-maritime operations to ensure an effective supply chain and to be able to meet the stipulated delivery times. 

This has undoubtedly become a major challenge for the port sector. Technological tools and specialized software have been developed to address these needs. 

The reality is that traditional paper is now a thing of the past. From now on, worldwide management and administration are carried out automatically. 

Thanks to this, GP Nauticals was born, a technological organization dedicated to the development of specialized software for the aeronautical and port sector. 

The purpose is to manage in an automated way the port revenues and to attend to the maritime and land operations. 

NAUTIC AIMS, part of SUITE AIMS

Its name speaks for itself, NAUTIC AIMS is software created to manage maritime and non-maritime operations. This, in turn, is part of the SUITE family of GP Nauticals. 

Its main function is to centralize the port administration, providing sophisticated software with which you can manage the main functionalities of a seaport. 

In this sense, collecting, managing, and processing data from cargo operations, maritime tourism, and shore operations, are part of the work of NAUTIC AIMS. Also, can be integrated with PAY AIMS, to manage billing and financial administration. 

Another advantage of NAUTIC AIMS software is that thanks to data collection, it is possible to perform an analysis of the port’s performance. 

 

If you want to know more about NAUTIC AIMS, just click here.

 

Maritime logistics faces new challenges

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At a time of revaluation and resurgence of companies, the maritime sector in the process of expansion, could also suffer a new scenario. That, undoubtedly, becomes a short to medium-term challenge for ports and shipping lanes. 

According to a report by Sea-Intelligence, it is expected that once the distribution chains are normalized, a new wave of congestion will be generated due to the number of empty containers. 

During the pandemic, new containers had to be used due to delays in supply chains worldwide. 

Now that everything’s back to normal, maritime logistics will be faced with a large number of unused containers. 

The bulletin notes that there will be at least “the presence of 3.5 million TEUs of empty containers in the transpacific alone.” 

Another place that will affect the logistics line will be the United States and Europe. Therefore, both terminals and warehouses will have to consider new strategies to avoid a new wave of congestion. 

Strategic planning and logistics… 

Supply chains are expected to normalize between mid-2022 and 2023. So leasing, shipping, and seaport companies will need to take the necessary measures to avoid havoc. 

Likewise, GP Nauticals within its SUITE offers automated services for administrative processes, not only for the aeronautical sector but also for the maritime sector. 

Such is the case of PAY AIMS, a service that allows managing invoicing processes, supply chains, and more, which allows centralizing the work and handling it more efficiently and anywhere in the world. 

It also allows the port to collect payments from shipping companies and administrative processes, leaving aside manual and tedious work. PAY AIMS can be integrated with other SUITE services, such as NAUTIC AIMS, to provide more optimal work. 

 

Puerto Felixstowe invests in machinery

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The initiative for the improvement of environmental conditions is an issue on which everyone is debating, and many organizations come together to implement the best strategies to combat pollution.

That’s why port of Felixstowe, which announced the investment of new equipment to decarbonize its operations.

The company Hutchison Ports and owners of the Port of Felixstowe have invested in: “48 battery terminal tractors and 17 electric gantry cranes with remote-controlled rubber tires (ReARTG) of zero-emissions”, according to the Container News website.

Projections with the new machinery are that 6,662 tons of CO2, and 59.38 tons of NOx can be saved annually. Says, Chris Lewis.

Additionally, Lewis also noted that “These latest acquisitions will help drive further substantial reductions in the future, and will help us achieve our goal of an additional 20% reduction over the next 5 years.”

A new infrastructure

Likewise, to carry out the machinery replacement project, Felixstowe needs an infrastructure that can support the new equipment. Therefore, “its high voltage (HV) electric power distribution network will be updated and new electrical infrastructure to support the ReARTGs and 10 charging stations for the battery-powered terminal tractors ”.

They are working to counteract the consequences that the impact of CO2 can have on the environment in a few years.

Notably, Felixstowe is located in Glasgow and is the UK’s largest port and the eighth busiest port.

 

For more information, read the full note at Container News.

 

Thailand plans to open a national shipping company

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Thailand plans to open a national shipping company, to minimize dependence on foreign vessels. The announcement of this new plan was made by the Ministry of Transport of Thailand, adding that another objective is to encourage commercial exchange in Thailand.

Although it is still in the study phase, Saksayam Chidchob, Thailand’s Transport Minister, said that the Thai port authorities have already received instruction to assess the viability of a shipping line during the next month.

If feasible, the national shipping company would have three independent branches, the first for cargo movement in the Asian region, the second for cabotage, and the last for exchange with other regions worldwide.

Subsequently, once the feasibility tests have been carried out by the competent authorities, they may be presented to the cabinet during the first months of 2022.

If the procedure is positive, the creation of a national shipping company in Thailand would begin in the middle of the year.

As mentioned in previous lines, it is not only about the independence of foreign ships, but also about promoting maritime trade in Thailand.

In this way, strengthening logistics ties with the Thai Gulf and the Andaman Sea is part of the plans to expand and strengthen connections.

Read the full note at Portal Portuario.

 

 

 

Spain seeks to become a leader in maritime transport in Europe

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Spain seeks to implement a wide variety of technological tools to boost competitiveness in the Spanish port system, and thus become the leader in maritime transport within Europe.

In the report published by the Ports Commission of the Chamber of Spain, entitled “Measures to promote the competitiveness of the Spanish port system”, all the measures to be implemented are detailed and are grouped into 5 categories such as: governance, management of border control ports, intermodality, digitization, and training, which will be renewed thanks to technological advances.

Among the technologies that they will implement at the port, digitization level is 5G sensorization, automation, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, IoT, and distributed ledger technology such as Blockchain.

The purpose of these measures is to take advantage of an industry that is underdeveloped in terms of innovation and digitization and thus transform Spanish ports into a 4.0 model, which are intelligent, interoperable, and transparent.

There are currently 3 Spanish ports (Valencia, Algeciras, and Barcelona) that are in the top 30 of the world ranking of ports thanks to the influx of merchandise, so this type of measure seeks to promote logistics and port development, which will help Spain to become a leader in the maritime sector in Europe.

 

Digital acceleration in the port sector

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The shipping sector has been characterized by being very traditional and not very adventurous when it comes to implementing new solutions that imply drastic changes in its behavior. However, the port industry has grown in the last 3 months than in the last 3 years, and all due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Currently, it has been possible to evidence a striking trend for the implementation of digital tools and platforms aimed at the digital transformation of ports and shipping companies. This without leaving aside those aimed at cybersecurity that today has become a primary concern for any sector.

The technological implementation in the port sector is considered the second major transformation of the industry after the creation of containers, taking as one of the main contributions the digitization and automation of processes. The implementation of software that performs merchandise traceability and the interconnection of ports are just some of the improvements that the sector has received, and can only provide greater visibility and confidence in the port industry.

However, the change in the sector is not only limited to technological tools. There is also hard work together to encourage ecological work practices such as the development of green hydrogen for the decarbonization of maritime transport that can offer greater sustainability to the industry.

These are great advances for an industry that has always been considered extremely conservative. However, the need to face a situation like the pandemic has provided numerous opportunities for startups and venture capital companies to enter an industry that generates billions of dollars a year.