Security and Cyber-Security

It wasn’t long ago that a single shipping container required a new set of paper documents for every part of the supply chain it passed through. Perhaps every country, too. Put this into the context of a modern port terminal such as Antwerp Gateway in Belgium, which has an annual throughput of 2.8 million TEU, and you can start to picture the complexity and how time-consuming that would be on a global scale.

Safety is a key concern for terminal operators, and one of the key areas to address is applications in which heavy container handling equipment must operate in areas with mixed traffic or people. Equipment or cargo damage can lead to costly delays and disrupt operations.

The maritime industry's operations and services depend on seamless connectivity. Vessels and offshore facilities require reliable means of communication to ensure smooth operations, crew welfare, and passenger services. However, traditional satellite connectivity can be costly, technology-dependent, and limited in terms of access and data usage.

The pressure on ports – and all links in the supply chain – is possibly higher than it’s ever been. As a mixed-use port handling a huge volume of commercial, industrial and passenger traffic, the UK’s Port of Southampton faced these challenges. Port operator Associated British Ports (ABP) knew its current ways of working and its use of public 4G connectivity wouldn’t help it overcome future challenges.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges (PoAB) has developed a Digital Twin, which is essentially a digital replica of all operations occurring within the port's territory. This cutting-edge technology was implemented to create situational awareness for all employees of the PoAB, acting as the central component that combines all the port's initiatives within its digital nervous system.

On 7 February 2023, MSC Belgium introduced ID-based container pick-up, at MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET) in Antwerp. This is a critical step for the future of cargo shipping – not just because it makes the process more efficient. The technology protects not only the security of the overall container, but the cargo inside, as well as the security of all personnel interacting with the containers.

What does digital transformation have to do with port and terminal security and operational efficiency? Everything, really...

Cyber security is a growing concern for companies in the light of the large-scale digitalization process that they have experienced and continue to undergo

The availability of timely Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data provides new opportunities for detecting illegally operating vessels

As the industry is also experimenting with blockchain and distributed ledger technologies to increase efficiency, what are the security implications?