• Digitalisation has become a key prerequisite.
  • It is essential to have a foundation of operational excellence on which to work.
  • Measurement versus intuition.

In recent years, the automation of port operations has undergone a series of advances and developments that favour the automation and digitisation of logistics in this sector. There are currently around 60 semi or fully automated container terminals operating in different ports around the world and around 100 projects planned for the 2030 horizon. The greatest concentration of this type of terminals is in Asia, although in Europe, ports such as Rotterdam and Hamburg have automated terminals. Spain also has semi-automated terminals in the ports of Barcelona, Algeciras and soon in Valencia.

Given this context in which we find ourselves, Logistop has organised the Webinar The automation of port operations, in which José Andrés Giménez, leader of the Port Logistics Working Group of Logistop and Director of Port Logistics of the Valenciaport Foundation, Jesús Murgoitio, Project Director of TECNALIA Foundation, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Diego García, COO of the TTI Algeciras Container Terminal, Óscar Pernia, Director of Digitalisation and Automation of the TIL Group – Terminal Investment Limited, with moderation by Tomás de la Vega,  Managing Director of Logistop, analysed the most relevant aspects and advances in the field of port automation.

Jesús Murgoitio, in his presentation of the ESTIBA+ 2022 project, financed by the CDTI and led by Bergé, highlighted, among other aspects, the important role of digitalisation as a prerequisite for automation, as well as the importance of using standards in new implementations, giving as an example the use of communication protocols such as V2X.

In addition, Diego García emphasised the role of standardisation and continuous improvement as drivers to make automation sustainable, giving special relevance to maintaining discipline and collaboration between functional areas when handling exceptions and making decisions.

Finally, Óscar Pernia reflected, among other aspects, on the impact of automation in the port logistics chain, with benefits beyond the improvement of competitiveness, including greater efficiency, sustainability, prevention and safety of operations. Under the premise that automation is the inevitable future, it requires a base of operational excellence that will make use of digitalisation as a catalyst to connect processes, systems and organisation: like any other technological

Logistop’s vision, within the framework of the “Port Logistics” Working Group, is to continue working within the framework of innovation and the development of efficiency in port-logistics operations, environmental sustainability, decarbonisation, safety and security, as well as new technologies.