Smart Technologies and Digitalization

Whether you’ve been in rail operations for five or 25 years, you know this to be true: a terminal is defined by its efficiency. Another reality rail operators are all too familiar with? Outdated processes—combined with the inherent risk of manual error—create big problems within a rail terminal.

Automation is a game-changer, driving efficiency, slashing costs, and redefining possibilities. While greenfield terminals can rise from the ground up with cutting-edge tech baked in, brownfield terminals—with weathered workhorses already in operation—face a steeper climb.

Control rooms in container terminals have traditionally served as the nerve centre for planning, execution, and logistics coordination. As automation transforms terminal operations, the role of control room staff is also evolving.

Trade and shipping form the backbone of world economy, with approximately over 80 per cent of international trade transported by sea. This unparalleled reliance on maritime logistics underscores the critical role ports play in facilitating commerce, connecting markets, and supporting economic growth.

The global logistics industry is at a pivotal moment. Increasing supply chain complexity and a driver shortage of 2 million by 2026 require streamlined handling processes and optimised utilisation. With increasing pressure to optimise operations and enhance efficiency, innovative solutions that leverage digitalisation are crucial.

In 2024, Awake.AI won the 2024 Moroccan Smart Port Challenge to develop digital solutions for port performance improvement in collaboration with the Moroccan National Ports Agency ANP. The focus of this proof of concept development project was to enable the adoption of just-in-time (JIT) scheduling and related performance optimisations in Moroccan ports.

In the evolution towards Port 4.0, private 5G networks emerge as a cornerstone of modern industrial connectivity solutions. Tailored specifically for industrial environments, these networks offer unparalleled advantages over traditional wired or Wi-Fi setups. They are meticulously optimised for IoT applications, boasting low energy consumption, fortified data security, and robust support for high connection densities.

One of the great challenges of maritime transport is to guarantee safety both during crossings and inside the port facilities. As a nexus between the maritime and terrestrial worlds, ports and terminal operators face a complex challenge: ensuring that the entry and exit of people, vehicles, and goods are organised, efficient, and free of threats.

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.

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.

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.