Seaports are very important for world trade. In 2025, global seaborne trade reached a historic $35 trillion. Every day, thousands of ships, millions of containers, and huge amounts of cargo pass through them. But managing all these activities with old methods is difficult. Ports face problems like long waiting times, high costs, and too much work. The solution is automation and digital platforms. This newsletter explains why ports need automation, how it works, and what successful examples exist in the world.
Why Do It
The main reason of port automation is that the amount of cargo grows every year. If ports only use manual work and paper documents, they cannot handle growth. Ports also waste their resources. Ships have to wait a long time, which costs a lot of money.
This data demonstrates why investments in digitalization have become a strategic priority.
1. Dramatic Improvement in Operational Efficiency
The most impressive indicator is the 80% increase in crane productivity compared to non-automated ports. This is confirmed by the specific record from the Port of Qingdao — 62.62 TEU per hour. It is the thirteenth world record. In a few years, the port improved its own performance by more than 58% (from 39.6 operations in 2017). This dynamic became possible precisely because of the implementation of systems based on AI.
2. Reduced Service Time
Reducing vessel processing time and the time to handle each container creates a big economic effect. For shipowners, time means direct losses, so ports that can process a vessel on 30% faster gain a competitive advantage.
3. Safety and Environmental Friendliness
Reducing the number of accidents at berths by 70% and cutting emissions by 40% through the use of electric autonomous vehicles. This protects the health and safety of workers and meeting strict environmental regulations. Emissions reduction is relevant in the context of international requirements for decarbonization.
4. Fine-Tuning of Processes
The Port of Qingdao indicators show that automation can optimize even micro-processes:
- Reduction in stacking turnover rate by 5.14%
- Reduction in operating spacing between machinery by 2.6%
- Increase in operating speed by 3.6%
- Reduction in lifting equipment operating height by 16.6 meters
- Increase in truck handling efficiency by 9%
These figures show that software can find optimal solutions that humans either do not notice or cannot put in place with the required speed.
Saving time on each micro-operation adds up to hours and days of gained time for the entire port. This converts into extra revenue and attracting new customers.
Technology Gaps
The vast majority of ports have invested in terminal management systems. But less than one-third actually use real-time analytics. This means that for many ports, data is collected but not used to improve operations.
Also, more than half of ports experience difficulties with interoperability between systems. For example, booking systems don't communicate with yard management systems. A yard management system aren't linked to crane scheduling systems. This results in fragmented information. This explains why even ports with TOS systems often fail to enjoy automation.
External data exchange issues affect nearly half of all ports. This is particularly problematic because ports are hubs in global supply chains.
Nearly half of port workers admit the lack real-time operational visibility into what's happening. In an industry where every minute of delay is costly, this represents a competitive disadvantage.
While leading ports such as Qingdao and Rotterdam are achieving productivity gains, many ports using digital tools don't see returns.
Port Technology Innovation Benchmarks
According to the Heavy Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance guide, maritime logistics has already implemented many technologies, but benchmarks also exist.
Implementation of the Internet of Things is the use of physical devices connected to the internet. They can be sensors on cranes, GPS trackers on vehicles, and smart tags on containers. These devices collect and send data about their condition, location, and performance in real time.
Currently, about two-thirds of port operations have begun using these smart sensors.
The industry strives for this technology to be virtually everywhere. The goal is to create a fully interconnected environment where the location and condition of every asset.
Telematics is a specific type of IoT focused on vehicles. It involves the use of devices on trucks, forklifts, and automated guided vehicles. The aim is to track their location, check driver behavior, and optimize routes.
Currently, 60% of vehicles and mobile equipment in ports are connected to telematics systems.
The goal is to have 80% of all port vehicles connected to telematics systems. This will improve the precision of coordination.
This also involves replacing human-operated machines and manual solutions with automated machines and software. This includes automated stacking cranes, unmanned horizontal transport systems, and automated gate systems.
On average, half of the processes or equipment in a typical port are automated. This figure varies. In some leading ports, it's 80-100%, while in many smaller ports, it's close to 0%. The average figure lies somewhere in the middle.
ROI in innovation measures the financial return a port receives from its investments in new technologies. If a port spends $1 million on an automated system, a 20% ROI means it gets $1.2 million back.
According to the guide, the target return on investment will increase. If you're looking to make your port more technologically advanced, contact AKDev. We are professional technology partners in maritime logistics.
How It Can Be Done
Automating a port is a complex process. It involves many levels: physical machines, software, and communications.
At the physical level, ports introduce automated cranes and driverless trucks. These are not controlled by people but by a central system. Fast networks like 5G and satellite systems like China's Beidou help coordinate them. These technologies provide very accurate positioning, down to centimeters.
At the planning level, simulation modeling is very useful. Before making real changes, ports create "digital twins" of their operations in software like AnyLogic. This allows them to test different scenarios and find problems without stopping real work.
But the real "brain" of a modern port is comprehensive software platforms. One example is the Marine Fields system. This is a SaaS platform for port management.
Case Study Marine Fields
The system solves a big problem of sharing information well. The platform combines monitoring, management, and analysis in one place .
Main Functions of the Platform:
1. The system tracks ships in real time using GPS. Users can see where a ship is and what it is doing (at anchor, at berth, loading/unloading). It also monitors all activity in the port's water area. Data is shown on interactive maps with weather information and an alert system .
2. Software helps keep track of all port assets. The vessel call management module automates planning and recording of every stage of a ship's visit. The system also pays attention to cargo movement inside the port .
3. Dispatchers have special tools for planning. It shows when each quay is busy, by hour and day. Analytical charts show the port workload. The system also allows filtering by vessel type like tankers, container ships, and status .
4. A useful feature is the built-in chat. People can discuss work issues directly in a ship's profile card. The system also collects statistics, which helps analyze performance and find problems. Data access is controlled by user roles, so everyone sees only what they need .
Successful Examples Around the World
Global experience shows that ports investing in automation get big advantages over competitors.
Port of Qingdao
The automated container terminal at the Port of Qingdao is a world leader in productivity. In May 2025, it set a new world record: 62.62 crane moves per hour. In 2017, this number was only 39.6 moves per hour. This growth of more than 58% was possible because of an AI-based management system and better synchronization of all machines . According to China's Ministry of Transport, the port has broken its own world record twelve times. Operational efficiency increased by 6%, and throughput capacity grew by 15% .
Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan
This is the world's largest port by cargo volume. It is also using smart solutions actively. In the first 11 months of 2024, its cargo volume grew by 3.27% (to 1.26 billion tons). Container traffic increased by 10.2%. Port representatives say these successes come from using digital systems widely. These systems help the port work efficiently and increase its capacity all the time .
Port of Dubai
At the end of 2025, Dubai Ports Authority launched a new system based on AI and Robotic Process Automation . The system gives permits for operational activities like handling dangerous goods or waste collection. It does this for all applications that meet the rules. Out of 44,000 yearly transactions, only special cases need human review now. This makes services faster and safer. It also supports the Dubai government's plan to go digital .
Port automation with specialized software is the future of the industry. The experience of global leaders shows that the ports of the future are fully digital. In these ports, every move of equipment and every decision is calculated and synchronized.
