Port digitalization is the digital transformation of port processes. These processes are always collecting new data, evolving, and learning. This gives stakeholders real-time situational awareness of all events going on in their ecosystem. This transformation is a big cultural change for the maritime industry, an industry born in the 15th century.

Artificial intelligence is a key technology for smart ports and the reason for port automation. In fact, without AI smart ports could not exist. AI converts data with powerful algorithms to replicate the thought process of humans. As port operations are redundant, there is a lot of past and real-time data produced that can be plugged into these AI algorithms and technologies.

A smart port is a digital port. “Smart” means being more attractive and innovative in a competitive sense. A smart port is a more effective, more performant, and a more economically competitive port. Not only that, but smart ports consider residents a key stakeholder of their activities. They use real-time information, a collaborative management approach, and essentially provide more with less.