Ports and Terminals

The Halifax Port Authority (HPA), the Port of Halifax’s strategic port manager, has a mission to connect with global markets to create value for our customers, partners, visitors and community. We pride ourselves on being a future-focused organisation. The development of our 50-Year Plan, released in June 2022, was grounded in the principle of smart investment. The plan describes port planning to 2070 and considers various benchmarks to trigger expansion.

With a growing global focus on sustainability, the port and terminal industry faces significant pressure to pursue decarbonisation. The electrification of container handling equipment at ports is in its infancy, but the landscape is evolving relatively quickly. Governments and companies are setting timelines for reducing emissions, and C-suite terminal executives with technology and sustainability responsibilities are considering the kinds of solutions that will be necessary to achieve those goals while satisfying the performance requirements of their operations.

Dr. Mathias Dobner discusses the strides BOXBAY has made in revolutionising container handling with its space-efficient high-bay storage solutions, the challenges of widespread adoption, and the company's commitment to sustainability. From reducing energy consumption and land use to exploring innovative applications, BOXBAY aims to lead the industry towards a more sustainable future.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges aims to be climate neutral by 2050. If you look at the modal split of the entire port area in Antwerp, you will see that inland navigation accounts for almost half of all goods transported to and from the port. This means that barge transport delivers or picks up around 100 million tonnes of goods at our port every year.

There are many pathways that can lead to the decarbonisation of ports and terminal operations. The challenge? Harmonising the bustling activity of freight logistics with the pressing need to reduce the environmental footprint.

Europe can only achieve its climate goals with eco-friendly supply chains. The Port of Hamburg plays an important role in this by combining ship and rail transport in a unique way.

In the vast expanse of maritime operations, where efficiency is king and sustainability reigns supreme, the convergence of cutting-edge technology and industry expertise is reshaping the seascape. Amidst the tumultuous tides of climate change, the maritime sector faces an urgent call to chart a course towards greener, more efficient practices.

Over 90 per cent of international trade depends on maritime transportation, which is crucial to the global economy since it provides a reliable and affordable alternative to other modes of transportation. However, shipping alone contributes to nearly 3 per cent of the world's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This prompted the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and private enterprises to launch campaigns to promote green shipping and make environmental sustainability a priority.

The latest research progress in robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps autonomous driving technology become more and more applicable in daily life and industry scenarios. The robotaxi and the autonomous trucking systems are built mainly based on vehicle onboard sensors and computing units. As the operation domain on public roads involves large-scale scenarios regarding locations and objects, an intelligent vehicle must be able to make its decision with its own perception and localisation inputs.

Digital twins are one the fastest growing concepts in the container handling industry, especially with the growth of complementary technologies such as IoT and cloud. The virtual 3D replica of a terminal gives you complete visibility of the terminal environment, its equipment, container inventory and much more.

At PTI’s Container Terminal Automation Conference (CTAC) North America in November 2023, Matthew Wittemeier, representing INFORM, discussed his perspective on container terminal optimisation. With over 25 years of experience, INFORM emphasizes proven technological solutions tailored to diverse end-user requirements. Their insights shed light on the role of AI and optimisation in shaping the future of automation in port operations.

The global supply chain, a dynamic web connecting the farthest reaches of the world, orchestrates the movement of goods with precision and efficiency. Within this complex environment, international ports serve as gateways and nerve centres through which the ecosystem is orchestrated, thereby ensuring the seamless flow of commerce across borders.