Smart Ports

We live in a dynamic world, where the pace of change and transformation has continuously accelerated the way we as humans understand the world around us, do business or interact with each other. This has applied to basically every industry you could think of: construction, retail, education, … In the transport sector, data has become a new mode of transport.

It has also become common to hear ‘Smart Ports are the only ports that will survive’, or ‘it is not about whether ports will become smart or not, but when’. Indeed, many port players have over the years adopted strategies to make use of digital technologies within the port areas. This has allowed them to gain competitiveness, become more resilient, or reduce their carbon footprint, just to name a few benefits.

Nevertheless, ports are complex ecosystems, each having unique circumstances. What easily works in one port, may not be a fit for other. At the same time, the term ‘Smart’ has been rather abused in the past. It is common to hear it paired with terms such as the Internet of Things, blockchain, or Artificial Intelligence. As a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, keywords such as ‘smart’ or ‘digitalization’ have gained further attention. Yet, the lack of a well founded understanding and context has blurred the scope, goal and outreach of Smart Ports.

In this journey, which takes 30 hours, we will provide a thorough yet realistic picture around Smart ports. The course includes up-to-date academic literature, reports and other documentation which can help you understand better this recent and hot topic.

As we are digitally connecting on a rapid pace, there is still a world to win in the port sector as such. This digitisation is already ongoing in a number of ports. Don’t miss the boat in the opportunity to connect.

The purpose of this course can be twofold. In the short term, the aim of the course is to serve as a starting point for the participant to better understand the following:

• Basic understanding around the smart port concept
• Some of the recent and disrupting technologies that are being used in port communities, their applicability, advantages and challenges
• Best practices from leading ports to scale up in this roadmap,
• The relevance for the labour force
• Considerations on how ports can get started

In the longer term, the purpose is to serve, for port management level roles, as a starting point for the participant in his/her next step to better explore questions such as:

• Where does my port stand in terms of smart port maturity?
• Given the unique circumstances of our port, do we need smart solution(s) in our port community?
• If so, what solutions should be explored in the different areas and domains of our port community?

The course is specially designed for people and prospective managers working or interested in the maritime, ports, transport and logistics sector:

• (Young) Professionals
• Finance, IT, paralegals, not engaged in the day to day operations
• (Junior) Managers
• Supervisors and team leaders
• Project managers

The course will be provided in the English language

You can register via the following link.