Article

‘Smart Ports. Piers of the future' brings together six large ports


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 25 November 2019 141 -

For the first time, the ports of Antwerp, Barcelona, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Montreal and Rotterdam come together to showcase their most advanced digital transformation and sustainability projects at their dedicated ‘Smart Ports’ exhibit

The 'Smart Ports. Piers of the Future' event brought together six of the world's largest ports and has turned Barcelona into the world capital of port innovation. At the Smart City Expo World Congress, held from 19 to 21 November at the Fira de Barcelona events centre on Gran Via, the ports of Antwerp, Barcelona, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Montreal and Rotterdam joined forces for the first time to set up their dedicated smart ports exhibit booth in which each port showcased the most advanced projects they are currently working on.

This first ever 'Smart Ports' event, that was extremely well attended, was an opportunity for participating ports to share their strategic plans to address present and future sustainable development and digital transformation challenges. This is what the representatives of each port had to say about the success of the event:

Piet Opstaele, Innovation Lead, Manager Innovation, Port of Antwerp: “The whole industry is facing challenges. Collaboration, like this worldwide network, is the key. Continuous investments and innovations are necessary to keep the edge. Therefore, the focus of Port of Antwerp for the future is on digital and energy transition. We ‘walk the talk’ by sustainably investing in the development of hard, digital infrastructure and processes in view of building the port of the future. As community builder we aim to be pioneer smoothening the path for innovation while investing in those areas in which the market has not developed yet. In these turbulent times it is our mission to act as a lever for stakeholders that spot innovative opportunities. Therefore, we strive to be an open innovative platform that allows new technologies to be introduced. Innovation with a purpose.”

Mercè Conesa, President, Port of Barcelona: “It is the first time that ports have shown great innovative projects in a congress focused on cities. This demonstrates the growing interaction between port and city. Energy transition, as well as digitalization and innovation are challenges that must be faced all together, cities and port. And also ports of the world together. And this is the strength of this ‘Smart Ports. Piers of the Future’ first edition. The Port of Barcelona is committed to lead in Europe the ports transformation into smart ports and we have to do it in collaboration with the best ports in the world. We are convinced that this first edition of Smart Ports has been a completely success and that is why we are sure that there will be a second one”.

Jens Meier, CEO of Hamburg Port Authority (HPA): “We believe that the event is an excellent networking and knowledge sharing platform to promote projects related to Smart Ports in an environment surrounded by the most innovative projects that through digitalization enhance efficiency in ports and cities. The city is a key element to consider for every project that is carried out in the Port of Hamburg, since it is located in the heart of the city, so it is really part of our daily life. For this reason, this congress will let us learn from innovative solutions of ports and cities facing similar challenges.”

“The ‘Smart Ports’ conference made it clear that the digital transformation is leading to a data rich environment that can benefit every link in the maritime supply chain,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “In collaboration with other forward-thinking ports, we envision leading the way in securely using big data to improve the reliability, predictability and efficiency of seaborne trade. We thank and congratulate Port of Barcelona President Mercè Conesa i Pagès, Deputy General Manager Santiago Mila and the entire conference team for hosting such a well-organized and insightful event."

“It is important to come together as an industry to demonstrate how ports are contributing positively to maintain a sustainable balance with their respective surrounding cities by leveraging digital solutions”, said Daniel Olivier, Director, Business Intelligence and Innovation at the Port of Montreal. “That's why the Port of Montreal is acting as a North American leader in smart solutions in harbor trucking among other initiatives.”

Thea de Vries, Director Marketing & New Business, Port of Rotterdam: “The digital transformation leads to fundamental changes in society. We are not living in an era of change, but we are living in the change of an era. When we embrace energy transition, digitization and innovation and see it as an opportunity then we are able to grow in a sustainable way. With our ambition to be the world's smartest port, Rotterdam is committed to lead the digital transformation of ports and logistics. The transition to a sustainable economy requires not only collaboration with all players in the city, port and region. But also with a worldwide network of ports. By creating a global network of smart connected ports efficiency in global trade lanes will increase, while costs and carbon emissions will be reduced.”

Representatives of companies related to port activities presented their most innovative ideas that could compliment the ports digital and sustainable transformation strategy. A total of 40 presentations were made at the 'Smart Ports' exhibit booth, and nearby North District Agora where the key projects of each port were showcased.

Two side events also took place within the 'Smart Ports' framework: ‘Policy & Sustainability ahead: IMO 2020, Transparency, Digitization', a conference addressing the upcoming IMO 2020 regulation, which will force ships to reduce the sulphur content of their fuels, and the 'Smart Ports Barcelona Summit', a congress during which representatives from various ports took part in debates around innovation.

Smart City Expo World Congress is the world's first smart cities expo and received 25,000 visitors and over 1,000 exhibitors from 150 countries. The congress involved more than 60 parallel events and over 400 presentations.
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Smart Ports: Piers of the Future

published on 25 November 2019

Six leading Ports join forces to show the world their Smart Port model

0

Article JMS completes conversion Design of Osrv to Pilot Station Vessel for Sandy Hook Pilots

by JMS Naval Architects - published on 4 March 2021

Conversion work is nearly completed of the former Oil Spill Response Vessel OSRV MAINE RESPONDER to a Pilot Station Vessel for Sandy Hook Pilots Association of Staten Island, NY. The conversion work contract was competitively awarded to Feeney Shipyard of Kingston NY.

0

Article An Interview with India’s First female Marine Pilot, Reshma Nilofer

published on 13 March 2023

Marine Pilot, Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi MNI broke the bias and started her career as a trainee pilot in 2011 and she has never looked back.

0

Article New library and favorites function on Marine-Pilots.com

published on 19 August 2021

Marine-Pilots.com has launched a new function for registered users today. From now you can tag articles and videos as favorites or sort them in personal libraries that can be created individually.

0

Article The world's largest container ship "Ever Ace" completes its first transit through the Suez Canal

published on 16 October 2021

On August 28, the world's largest container ship completed its first crossing in the Suez Canal. Due to its huge size and this is the first voyage of the ship, it has received extra attention and special treatment from the Suez Canal Authority (SCA).

0

Article China: 200 pilots have been quarantined

published on 3 January 2022

Vessels are being stranded at ports on the river due to the lack of pilots and the line-up of vessels forced to wait in the anchorage outside the estuary is increasing rapidly. Owners are unclear how long the problem will last

0

Video Geneviève Béchard | The Digital Transformation of Canadian Hydrographic Offices

published on 25 November 2021

Full title: "The Digital Transformation of Canadian Hydrographic Offices, and the Corresponding Contributions to Seabed 2030 and Lakebed 2030"
Presented at the Lakebed 2030 Conference in 2021
Get involved at Lakebed2030.org

0

Video Pilot Boarding - Accidentology (2001- 2021) - French Maritime Pilots' Association

published on 10 May 2023

The accidentology survey conducted in France between 2001 and 2021 found that pilots face significant risks during transfer phases while embarking or disembarking from ships that they are required to serve. To ensure their safety and improve transfers, pilots develop specific procedures and safety protocols and equip themselves with the necessary gear. These safety measures are presented in the following film that is intended for both novice and experienced pilot boat drivers and pilots,...

1

Video The perfect pilot ladder

published on 9 September 2022

Top condition. Quality assurance with label, certificate and registration. Truly exemplary work in the service of safety for pilots. Great to see that.

3

Video Port Revel Ship Handling in France | by National Geographic

published on 27 September 2020

They look like toy boats, but they serve a serious purpose. An outsider at this facility near Grenoble, France, may see grown men riding arounda lake in miniature ships. But these are pilots of the world's largest ships, and they're practicing navigation with meticulously engineered 1:25 scale models of real cruisers, tankers, and containerships. Port Revel Shiphandling Training Centre, in operation since 1967, has had more than 6,000 maritime pilots and merchant ship officers from all over...

0