ICT Solutions and Digitalisation in Ports and Shipping

Given the volumes of global ship traffic, solutions are needed to reduce waiting times, costs, energy consumption and emissions. This systematic reference on ICT solutions and digitalisation in the ports and shipping sector covers new and existing technologies, different types of digital systems, and offers illustrative examples and case studies.

Coverage includes the following topics: the global trade facilitation regulatory framework and the role of ICT; maritime ports and cybersecurity; e-navigation and shore-based monitoring systems; maritime transportation along the Northern Sea Route; smart shipping beyond e-navigation; maritime communications; emerging radio communication technologies in the maritime domain; a data-driven methodology for maritime patterns of life discovery; real-time information with its technology; digital supply chain and port information modelling (PIM); ICT innovation in port-hinterland transport services; decarbonisation technologies in shipping and the question of transition fuels; and finally the advent of shore-based navigation: from vessel traffic services (VTS) to e-navigation maritime service portfolio (MSP).

The aim of this work is to examine the application of ICT solutions and digitalisation to the movement and clearance of freight at seaports globally. It provides conceptual clarity on the applicability of the different technologies and systems used for this purpose, and the relevance of such projects for different types of ports, from a trade facilitation perspective. It is therefore of particular relevance to researchers, academics, consultants, chief technology officers, and advanced students in the field of freight and logistics, especially in a maritime context. The book is also a valuable reference for anyone involved in port logistics in a managerial or operational capacity, and to port authorities.

Michele Fiorini, MBA, Ph.D., CEng, FIET acts as a principal in large international projects and global organisations where he leads (or is a member of) cross-cultural teams providing guidance, problem-solving attitude and engineering management as well as educational mentoring. His work focuses on intelligent and cognitive systems and engineering management for research and innovation strengthening cooperation between industry and academia. He has been the Chair of the Council at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (London, United Kingdom, 2017-18) and a session chair at the Euro-Asia Economic Forum (Xi'an, China, 2013). He is a project engineering manager for Leonardo s.p.a. in Rome, Italy, and an industrial member of the e-Navigation Committee at the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA-AISM) in Paris, France. Michele is serving as a member of the advisory board of the MBA programme at the Gdańsk University of Technology in Poland and a judge for the E&T Innovation Awards, intelligent systems category in London, United Kingdom.

Natalie Gupta is an independent consultant focusing on ports and trade facilitation. She works through her own consultancy Port Processes Ltd and is the Chair of Independent Port Consultants (IPC), a network of port consultants working internationally. Natalie works on three main streams of projects, namely feasibility studies for ports and the maritime sector, trade facilitation in the context of ports and trade corridors, and port operations-related assignments to do with performance and management. Natalie also has experience of working on bunkering in the sector and is involved in projects concerning the greenification of the sector in various country contexts.