1 INTRODUCTION

The diverse nature of the seaport, distinguished by a

wide range of enterprises and ecosystems, operating

on various equipment, creates a difficult and

demanding environment. Modern ports are

transforming into smart ports, which is synonymous

with developing solutions that meet the current and

future challenges (Deloitte 2017). The difficulty is that

being an intelligent port is a long-lasting process, and

what is now innovative and makes the port

intelligent may not be enough in the future. The

existing solutions in the area of ports focus mainly on

digital solutions, which are not sufficient for the ports

to aspire to the role of intelligent. Intelligent solutions

require integration on many levels, starting with

social, economic and technological dimensions. There

is still a long way to reach the mature concept of

Smart Port and probably is not the final step in port

development. However, there is no doubt that

leaders of smart ports are European seaports, such as

the Port of Hamburg or the Port of Rotterdam. The

article focuses on presenting selected examples of

innovations and new technologies in seaports

because is the most appropriate method of research

in this field. The aim of the article is also to show that

intelligent ports are next step of changes in the

broadly sense of functioning ports that are

inescapable.

2 DETERMINANTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF

SEAPORTS

The changes of modern seaports are affected by many

factors taking place in the global economy, national

policy, the environment of seaports, supply chains,

but also a number of stimulants i.e. innovation, new

technologies or sustainable development

(Salmonowicz 2012). Seaports as integral elements of

transport systems are complex objects of cooperation

Smart Port as a Key to the Future Development

Modern Ports

A. Karaś

Gdynia Maritime University, Gdynia, Poland

ABSTRACT: Technological innovations gives the opportunity to create so-called Smart Ports. However,

determining which technologies to choose, how to implement them remains a challenge. The research problem

presented in the article is: Is the constant introduction and implementation of the concept of intelligent ports an

irreversible trend determining the direction of development of modern seaports? The aim of the article is also to

analyze projects introduced in the ports of the North Sea and Baltic Sea which are successively implementing

the concept of a Smart Port. The article uses the method of analysis - mainly current analysis and prospective

analysis.

http://www.transnav.eu

the

International Journal

on Marine Navigation

and Safety of Sea Transportation

Volume 14

Number 1

March 2020

DOI:

10.12716/1001.14.01.01

for many entities (Grzelakowski 2017). Ports to deal

with complexity and dynamism have to take steps to

coordinate the activities of individual port

stakeholders. The evolution of modern ports leads to

the development of complex systems in the context of

the importance of a seaport. The dimension of the

importance of seaports can be expressed by assigning

them to a specific generation.

In 1990, the United Nations Conference on Trade

and Development developed a model for the

classification of seaports based on three criteria: port

development strategy and policy, the type and scope

of services provided, as well as the degree of

integration of port operations and organization. The

model does not cover other important measures, such

as port size, geographical location or organization. As

a result, the model created by UNCTAD identified

three generations of seaports (UNCTAD 1992) (see

fig. 1). However, due to the changes that took place in

seaports and their surroundings in the 1990s,

UNCTAD in report from 1999 additionally described

the concept of the fourth generation port, which

serves as hubs or major regional ports whose

activities are carried out on several levels

simultaneously (UNCTAD 1999).

Figure 1. Evolution of seaport

Source: Own elaboration based on (UNCTAD 1991)

3 FIFTH AND SIXTH GENERATION PORTS

The rapid development of technology has resulted in

changes in the port classification, therefore ports of

the fifth and sixth generation are more often

distinguished. Ports 5 GP provide handling services

at the highest level in the world. Such ports include

ports like Shanghai, Singapore, Hamburg and

Rotterdam. Ports of the fifth generation focus mainly

on increasing the efficiency and quality of their

services, expected by port stakeholders. The role of

this type of port as a logistic hub is also the ability to

handle megaships without any limitations. One of the

determinant of 5th generation ports is also use of

advanced technologies and IT solutions (Kaliszewski

2018). Either of the Baltic ports, which aspires to be

the 5th generation port is the port of Gdansk. For the

purposes of achieving standards of the 5th

generation, the port of Gdansk should become an

important intermodal center, as well as a

comprehensive logistics hub. Port infrastructure and

superstructure should be a unified and integrated

system managed using modern information

technologies. For the Baltic Sea Region, the port of

Gdansk should also play a key role as a transport

interchange linking water and land passenger and

freight streams (Polski Klaster Morski 2017).

Currently, neither of port in the world meets the

sixth generation port criteria. Taking into account the

criteria characterized by the ports of the first, second,

third, fourth and fifth generation, the 6th generation

ports should be distinguished by the service of

container vessels with a capacity of 50 000 TEU and a

maximum draft more than 20 meters (Kaliszewski

2018). The challenge for the 6th generation ports will

also be to increase the surface area of storage yards,

which can be achieved by developing modern storage

methods, automating terminals, developing and

implementing innovations in the field of

technological and organizational. The task of 6GP

ports will be to conduct a dialogue with port

stakeholders, respond to their needs, but also

planning and forecasting loading capabilities.

4 SMART PORT

Following the idea of Smart Cities, whose

assumptions include universal access to information

about the city, efficient communication and care for

the environment has come time for the concept of

Smart Ports. While the Smart City concept has been

known for several years, Smart Port is an idea

without a very specific definition. So this is a one of

modern development perspectives in ports and

shipping where nobody has the last word. The idea

of Smart Ports is not only management of

technological processes, but also digitalization,

increasing the efficiency of operations in ports,

integration of ports with cities and acquiring energy

from alternative sources. Smart Port - the new model

of management is a series of innovative tools used on

technological and organizational level. To make the

Smart Port concept an element of port strategies, it

takes a lot of courage and creativity from the ports.

And modern ports without intelligent solutions can

not survive the intensity of competition. First of all

the fundamental question remains what the port

wants to achieve by becoming intelligent (see fig. 2).

The implementation of various types of innovative

solutions that are not the result of a long-term

strategy may turn out to be a fiasco. Due to the fact

that the port is a diverse area, all activities must take

place at the terminal level and at the port level.

Implementations based on the concept of a Smart

Port should bring benefits to stakeholders and the

port authorities. While the market is full of

technologies and many of them have universal

applications, ports are diverse in their activities and

usually need custom-made solutions. Other solutions

require universal ports, and other ports that

specialize in servicing strictly defined loads, such as

ports where crude oil and oil products are the main

cargo. Therefore, it is important that terminals and

port authorities should cooperate to implement the

appropriate tools.

Figure 2. Steps for implementing a Smart Port Technology

Source: (Riedl, Delenclos, Rasmussen, 2018)

5 SMART PORTS IN NORTH SEA AND BALTIC

SEA

Most of the large ports are involved in the

implementation of Smart Port projects with different

visions. Unfortunately, the lack of a strict definition

of the Smart Port concept means that small

operations undertaken by ports classify them to be

intelligent. The following case studies present the

implementation of the Smart Port concept in the key

ports of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea - Port of

Rotterdam, Port of Gdynia, Port of Antwerp and Port

of Gothenburg.

1 Port of Rotterdam – OnTrack

In recent years, the railway has become an

increasingly important form of transport, not only

between the port of Rotterdam and its hinterland,

but generally. Port of Rotterdam Authority

recently launched a new application called

OnTrack. This device provides insight in the

expected time of arrival (ETA) (see fig.3) and

terminal handling of trains. The application has

been implemented to meet the needs of terminals

and carriers, as well as to improve the efficiency of

the planning process and schedule prediction.

Carriers have a real insight into the specific

handling of their loads in the terminal. Users

receive the most accurate information such as the

location of the train, destination, expected and

actual time of arrival and departure and work

progress related to the load in the terminal. The

device presents to all users the same information

in real time, reducing the number of

misunderstandings and eliminating unreliable

email communication. The application shows the

number of containers or cars that have been

loaded or unloaded and when the operation is

completed. OnTrack brings benefits to the entire

railway chain - railway operators, traction

suppliers, deep-sea and inland water terminals. At

the beginning of April 2019 OnTrack was

developed and tested with a number of different

market parties under the project name HAROLD.

The OnTrack app is a great example of new

technologies that streamline processes,

contributing to Rotterdam's ambition to become

the Smartest Port in the world

(Website Port of Rotterdam 2019).

Figure 3. OnTrack Application

Source: https://www.portofrotterdam.com/en/ontrack

2 Port of Gdynia – NavSim

Port of Gdynia has the most modern mechanism

for guiding ships around the world. Global

Navigation Satellite System - Real Time Kinematic

was implemented at the beginning of 2019. System

supports pilots and captains during maneuver

operations on the largest vessels that will call at

the port of Gdynia in the coming years. The RTK

station meets the strict requirements of the

International Association of Navigation Signal

Services IALA, ensures the compatibility of the

amendments sent and increases the safety of

navigation on the waters of the Gulf of Gdansk.

Thanks to the fact this innovative technology of

ship guidance, the port of Gdynia becomes one of

the safest seaports in the world (Woźniakowski

2018). The tool created of NavSim makes it

possible to visualize the actual movement of the

ship with very high precision, with the

measurement accuracy counted in centimeters,

which until now was not possible (see fig. 4). In

addition, the system supports the work of

captains, which requires extreme precision during

difficult weather conditions. Implementation of

the system allows maneuvering the ship not only

with limited visibility but also on fairways, where

the traffic is getting bigger. NavSim Poland is a

company specializing in the production of

advanced electronic map systems and navigation

support systems. The company is also known in

the world, creates innovative solutions dedicated

to marine and port pilots in the field of precise

navigation (NAVCruiserPro). It is worth adding

that this is the second such implementation in the

world and the first beneficiary of this system is the

Port of Swinoujscie (Website Port of Gdynia 2019).

Figure 4. NavSim System

Source: https://www.port.gdynia.pl/pl/wydarzenia/aktualn

osci/1236-nawigacja-co-do-centymetra-w-porcie-gdynia

Figure 5. iNoses sensor

Source: https://www.portofantwerp.com/en/energy-and-

environment-new-solutions-sustainable-future

3 Port of Antwerp – iNoses

Port of Antwerp is a key center for the

development of the European chemical industry.

The Antwerp is the heart of the European

chemical industry from many years. Millions of

tons of cargo a year passes through the port and

chemicals are one of the most important product

categories. 23 devices called iNoses have been

installed in the port of Antwerp since 2017. These

intelligent devices constantly measure and

monitor changes in the composition of the air. The

composition of the air is compared on the basis of

patterns of known chemical substances. iNoses

sensors are able to determine the type of odors

coming. This technology makes it possible to take

air samples - the sensors are equipped with small

canisters (see fig. 5). This samples can be analysed

in the laboratory, which gives a more reliable

measurement. One of the goals of iNoses is create

safe and healthy place to work. Chemical analysis

confirms what is the type of substance and how it

affects the quality of air in the port. The iNoses

devices are run every day to identify the air

composition and detect impurities. In fact, iNoses

is a new technology that requires ful

implementation (Website Port of Antwerp 2019).

Various devices for monitoring the composition of

the air in port already exist. Part of them are very

expensive and not suited for all different users

because each of port has its own laws.

4 Port of Gothenburg – Bunkering App

The Port of Gothenburg Energy Port is the largest

energy port with open access in the Nordic

Region. Enegry Port handling over 2500 calls and

more than 23 million tonnes of energy products

each year. Advantage geographical location and

investments to security have made Port of

Gothenburg one of the largest bunker ports in

the world. At the beginning of April the

Gothenburg Port Authority launched innovation

solution designed to make bunkering at the

Energy Port. „Bunkering App” is one of the first in

the world to offer this range of functionality. The

application is dedicated to bunkering operators in

the Energy Port, at the same time app eliminating

reports submitted via e-mail or telephone.

Notifications about bunkering are sent by the

application (see fig. 6). The application

synchronizes bunkering statistics, making it easier

for operators to plan and carry out loading

operations. The beginning of the year 2019 was a

test period in which several companies joined,

including Bunker One. Now company Bunker

One is one of the participating companies that as

part of regular operation. The implementation of

the application gives Energy Port a chance to

increase the efficiency and maximum use of

bunker wharves. This innovative solution is next

step of the Port of Antwerp in seeking to improve

the digitization and automation which guides the

idea of Smart Port. The first stage was to create a

digital process control system. The implemented

system has improved pumping through the use of

a pipeline network (Website Port of Gothenburg

2019).

Figure 6. Bunkering Application

Source: https://www.portofgothenburg.com/news-

room/press-releases/gothenburg-port-authority-launches-

bunkering-app/

6 CONCLUSIONS

In summary, we can define a Smart Port idea as a

seaport, which:

− is equipped with devices at the highest level

− the technologies used match the business profile

of terminals and types of handling goods

− is the integration of several entities - the port's

authorities, port stakeholders and the

surrounding, e.g. the region or the city

− strives for full automation

− manages a large amount of data - analyzed,

processed and appropriately used

− implements ecological solutions

− gain a competitive advantage, but also works with

the environment

− increases the efficiency and quality of services

provided

− is flexible and susceptible to changes.

There is no doubt that Smart Port concept is not

the last direction in the development of seaports. The

constant introduction and implementation of the

concept of intelligent ports is an irreversible trend

determining the direction of development of modern

seaports. The case studies presented above show that

not only the largest ports, i.e. Port of Rotterdam, can

afford to implement innovations. The Port of Gdynia

also aspires to be the smart port. But for the ports to

reach maturity in being intelligent, it takes time. It is

also important to develop unambiguous indicators

and measures of the level of intelligence for ports.

Single innovative activities can not be treated as the

implementation of the Smart Port concept. It is

necessary to define strict frameworks and specific

tools. Only on this basis can we speak about the

evolution of ports. Certainly, this article does not

exhaust the subject, but it is only a contribution to

further discussion about Smart Port concept as

modern direction of port development.

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