Smart technologies can also be used to improve traffic management in ports. This includes both the movement of cargo around the port as well as optimising ship arrival and departure times. A study published in 2022 by the World Bank found that around 60% of a ship’s time in port is attributed to cargo operations, with 30% accounting for arrival time and 10% idling time. According to the World Bank, this means there is a significant amount of wasted time, leading to excess fuel burn and emissions.
Port turnaround times are the responsibility of both the vessel and the port so both need to work in tandem to achieve the desired results. One of the issues adding to this is a lack of communication between ship and shore due to slow-flowing data. Better planning and preparation using smart technologies, communication via efficient data flows, and process streamlining via automation, can alleviate this issue.
Port management information systems (PMIS), which are often based on AI and machine learning, can improve the turnaround times of vessels, enabling cargo to be moved in and out at faster speeds. A ship that spends less time in port will burn less fuel, reduce its emissions, and achieve more optimal arrivals. In 2022, The Port of Rotterdam found that containerships could achieve a 14% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions on a per-voyage basis using just-in-time (JIT) arrival.
Another example is the use of a digital twin to reduce port emissions. In a recent study, researchers built a model of the Pusan Newport International Terminal, South Korea. They found that implementing a digital twin of the port and terminals could achieve over 75% reduction in carbon emissions compared to a real-life scenario without the digital twin. In one example, adjustments to berthing plans were modelled with and without access to a digital twin.
Without the digital twin, the delay in the ship’s berth caused a 4-hour operational stop. But when the digital twin was deployed, the application automatically reshuffled schedules, saving both 4 hours in terminal berth scheduling and critically, reducing carbon emissions by 28 tonnes. The study found that by deploying the digital twin, an overall saving of 61 tonnes of CO2 emissions could be achieved compared with the absence of it.
Case Study:
In August 2022, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced plans to develop a 5G mobile network at the port. By mid-2025, the port plans to have implemented full 5G coverage across major anchorages, fairways, terminals, and boarding grounds.
The network will support the port’s operations by enabling the port to roll out its new Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System (NGVTMS). Unlike its current system, the new one deploys artificial intelligence to identify traffic hot spots and alert vessels to avoid collisions. Not only does it improve safety, but by driving better vessel traffic management, it reduces the time ships spend waiting to dock or berth. In either event, they both result in additional fuel consumption and emissions.
Enabling ships to access berths as soon as they are ready will be driven by the 5G network, which delivers real-time data and precise vessel movement information. Whatever the service required, improving vessel scheduling means less time in port, improved turnaround times, and overall greater efficiency for both the port and the ship.
For a more in-depth understanding of the topics covered in this article, refer to our latest report in partnership with Ericsson, Getting Ports to Net Zero. This comprehensive guide provides an introduction to port emissions reduction and why advanced networks such as 5G must be considered as part of the journey to net zero.
