New technologies are rapidly changing the transport and logistics landscape, hence requesting all transport, logistics and supply chains actors, including inland and sea ports, to be more innovative and agile. Danube ports cannot ignore the rising tide of global digitalisation and port authorities need to prepare for and invest now in their digital future. However, it is often unclear what “digital” means for a port organisation, its core business and the port community at large. Port digitalization it is in fact a long term process which requires port organisations and port stakeholders alike to undergo continuous structural, functional and strategic transformations.
Are ports in the Danube Region prepared for such a transformational journey? What are the pre-requisites and the capabilities needed to enable such a process? What is the role of a port authority to leading such a process and foster a digital culture in its own organisation and at port community level?
To answer these questions and kick-start a more structured debate on port digitalisation, relevant digital trends & technologies in the port domain, the Danube Ports Network has organised within the context of the DAPhNE Project its first thematic conference dedicated to port digitalisation.
Under the title “Danube Ports in the digital age: challenges & opportunities”, the event featured 14 speakers that ranged from leading experts in ICT, digital transformation and innovation in maritime and inland ports and navigation, to transport, logistics, supply chain and automation experts, to EU transport policy and funding experts.
The conference highlighted current EU policies and legislative initiatives to support sea & inland ports digitalisation, showcased how first-movers have responded to the digital challenge and driven the needed change at port organisation and port community level. Digital pioneering European sea and river ports which have played a leading role with respect to port digitalisation, connectivity and smart corridor integration have presented their visions, strategies and business models namely the Port of Barcelona, the Port of Rotterdam, the HAROPA (Le Havre – Rouen - Paris) and the Upper Rhine ports. Furthermore, the conference gave insight into ongoing port digitalisation projects and initiatives -- illustrating how modern communication technologies can help to sustainably optimise the processes and operations of river and sea ports. Last but not least, participants got to experience cutting-edge technologies and innovative digital solutions for integrated port traffic management, Port Community System and Supply Chain Route Planning during an interactive online workshop run by the Port of Rotterdam.
Presentations
Introductory remarks by Dr. Michael PROHASKA, CEO the tean GmbH & Co KG
Session 1: EU policies & legal frameworks enabling digital transformations in the waterborne (river & maritime) transport sector
Item 2. Corridor RIS implementation: opportunities for Danube region’s ports and terminals
Session 2: Enabling digital solutions for ports: EU funding schemes & non-legislative tools
Item 5. EU digital tools enabling digital port developments
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Building Blocks
e-IMPACT| e-Freight Implementation Action
Session 3: Digitalisation at work: pilot projects and best practice examples for Danube Region’s ports
Item 6. Upper Rhine traffic management platform: presentation and live demo
Item 8. The “Smart Corridor” approach of HAROPA (Le Havre – Rouen - Paris) Ports
Session 4: From digital to smart: port digitalisation trends & models
Item 9. The Smart port model - the port of Barcelona’s perspective
Item 10. Levels of digital maturity of ports, by Port of Rotterdam.