A look at what is happening at our ports, both with cyber technology and hard machinery.
CHANGE is a constant in the world of port technology, as maritime analyst Peter van Duyn attests.
“Tech is playing a key role in decarbonising Australian logistics. We see stevedores switching to electric tractors, electric RTGs and hybrid straddle carriers,” Mr van Duyn said ahead of a presentation to the Japanese Ministry of Transport in Tokyo.
He focuses on the cleaner technology message, noting ports are looking to install shore power at berths and providing non-fossil fuels such as ammonia and ethanol bunkering services.
Transport companies are starting to use electric trucks, typically for short deliveries, while warehousing and distribution centres are starting to use electric forklifts and automation.
“Electric tractors at Patrick, hybrid straddles at Patrick and VICT, hybrid RTGs at DP World,” Mr van Duyn said.
“Australian ports are pursuing decarbonisation through a national Maritime Emissions Reduction National Action Plan (MERNAP), international commitments via the IMO.
“Australian government is providing funds to assist companies to switch to non-fossil fuels. Return on investment of shore power at berth can be lengthy.”
Meanwhile linehaul or long-distance trucks with batteries, is now becoming feasible.
Clearly technology, as information technology or cyber technology, is playing an essential role in improving port operations.
This was discussed at the Ports Australia BizOps conference in Gladstone recently by Cam Tran (a supply chain analyst and advisor to the government of Laos) and Sentient Hubs chief executive Allan Gray.
With a background in information technology, Ms Tran spoke of the potential for artificial intelligence in improving port performance.
“We see many examples of ports applying AI improvement analytics and have implemented AI capabilities to increase capacity and optimise their operations.
Cam Tran speaks tech at BizOp in Gladstone
“They've seen a drop in turnaround times as a result of that,” Ms Tran said.
Looking to the Australian context, Ms Tran said AI can help ensure compliance at ports.
“At last count, there are over 200 different acts of [port] regulation in Australia. These are administered by over 40 different government agencies at the commonwealth, state and territory level.
“And this is supported by over 130 different IT systems and includes 40 different public-facing ports. We have created an environment here in Australia where businesses have to invest in multiple platforms just to complete their operations,” she said.
The lack of standard regulations around ports has created inefficiencies, something AI can help resolve.
“Businesses involved in moving cargo in and out of Australia have to apply different rules,” she said.
“What we really need is a whole ecosystem approach with inclusive and sustainable practices with respect to policies. This means that we have to recognise everyone in the ecosystem, including these folks you see on the screen, and we need to have the conversation and work together.”
Ms Tran said it was “all about collaboration and sharing the responsibility”.
“Right now, we see courts digitalising and businesses also digitalising their own services and processes and optimising their parts of the supply chain,” she said.
Ms Tran is working with the Laos government to develop a framework for the National Trade Data Home.
She concluded noting the need for ‘whole of ecosystem’ approaches and to avoid siloed approaches.
Excellent operations plus poor strategy equals failure.
Allan Gray, Sentient Hubs
Also speaking at BizOps was Sentient Hubs chief executive Allan Gray who said technological innovation was all the more relevant in a disruptive global environment.
Captain Gray, a former chief executive of Port of Halifax on the east coast of Canada, spoke of a disruptive time with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Evergreen in the Suez Canal and the conflict in the Red Sea.
“I have seen ports evolve from manual workhorses to tech-driven hubs weathering all sorts of crises,” he said.
He reflected on the recipe for port success, with it requiring both operational excellence and strategic foresight.
“Can a port achieve long-term success with excellent operations but poor strategic foresight?’ Or conversely, with good strategic foresight but poor operations.
“The answer obviously is a resounding ‘no’. Excellent operations plus poor strategy equals failure,” he said.
“Brilliant strategy plus poorly executed operations mean failure and I’m talking complete supply chains not isolated ports.”
Captain Gray spoke of how technology could “bridge the gap” in a world of uncertainty, particularly in overcoming port congestion.
“Imagine boosting your port throughput by 25% not through costly new berths, but by optimising vessel arrival reliability. This is about turning operational data into strategic wins,” he said.
“What if we could turn some of these risks that are there into opportunities by having collaborative frameworks,” Captain Gray said, noting the strong positive correlation between port operational performance and strategic planning.”
Captain Gray spoke of the need for a robust strategy contributing to resilience, efficiency and sustainability, helping overcome the “massive amount of wastage in the system right now”.
“In a world of dynamic complexity, tools like federated model (bringing tools together across partnerships), in a secure, collaborative environment, allow you to bridge the gaps and channel data, not into insights but into foresight,” he said.
There is now more data than ever available for port managers.
“The availability of that data in a way that makes past, present and likely futures viable, that is the key. You can’t be looking forward without reliable inputs,” he said.
One interesting provider of logistics technology is Inbound Connect, a software and technology company dedicated to solving the long-standing problems affecting logistics operators and their clients.
Launched in 2020, it has sought to shape the logistics landscape with expansion in several locations.
One example was with Qube NZ a year ago. Qube NZ had operational and commercial requirements that would enable improved efficiency as their volumes grew. To ensure these requirements were met, Qube NZ teamed up with Inbound Connect to implement their advanced VBS technology platform as a replacement for its existing VBS system, which was unable to meet these needs.
The case study highlighted the successful deployment of Inbound Connect’s VBS at the Qube NZ empty container depots, showing its functionality, sophisticated prepayment technology and its ability to provide a seamless transition from the existing VBS system.
Inbound Connect also partnered with Qube and ANL Shipping Line to introduce a new empty container de-hire option at Dampier in Western Australia, powered by Inbound Connect.
“This expansion extends our footprint further into Australia’s engine room—the all-important Kimberley region—and provides greater flexibility and efficiency for port users managing empty containers,” the company said in a recent statement.
Aside from cyber tech, ports are investing in the essential hardware to handle the increasing volumes over Australian wharves.
Among those is Port of Townsville.
“Over recent years, we’ve invested heavily to build world-class container handling capacity,” said chief executive Ranee Crosby.
A new crane is helping boost productivity in the tropics.
Image: Port of Townsville
“This includes a $70 million upgrade of Berth 4 and commissioning of a state of-the-art Liebherr Post Panamax ship-to-shore crane-investments are already delivering greater speed, efficiency and service for our customers,” Ms Crosby said.
The port has also constructed expanded laydown areas to cater for increased imports of motor vehicles.
“With Northern Queensland’s population growing and major industries like critical minerals, renewables, agriculture and advanced manufacturing scaling up, Townsville Port is perfectly positioned to expand containerised freight,” Ms Crosby said.
“These investments will ensure regional products and resources reach global markets faster, more efficiently and at greater scale than ever before.”
Patrick Terminals said it has invested more than $1 billion over the past decade to strengthen both quayside and landside operations for its customers while driving efficiency, resilience and service excellence.
“According to Independent analysis terminal operator costs are just a small share of total supply chain costs, around 8% for imports and 9% for exports,” a Patricks spokesperson said.
“In real terms, total supply chain costs have more than halved since 2000, thanks in large part to infrastructure investment.
“We’re proud to keep investing in infrastructure and technology that keep Australia’s supply chains moving... it is important that focus remains on securing strong, resilient and productive supply chains for Australia’s future.”
Meanwhile Flinders Port Holdings recently signed a contract for two new STS Cranes at Flinders Adelaide Container Terminal (FACT).
Also, their GatewaySA team has signed “a significant contract” to buy two new Super Post Panamax STS Cranes from ZPMC.
“These additional cranes will increase capacity at FACT enabling the terminal to handle the largest vessels currently calling at Australian ports, but also larger container vessels that will call in the future,” a spokesperson said.
Expected to arrive mid-2027 fully assembled, they are to be the largest 65-tonne twin lift STS cranes in Australia. With a 60-metre outreach, 48-metre lift height above the rail, the $60 million investment (including associated infrastructure upgrades) seeks to demonstrate FACT and FPH’s commitment to “delivering a world-class container terminal that meets the evolving needs of our customers and industry partners”.
With the increased adoption of sustainable port equipment, businesses are investing in specialist equipment.
Clark Equipment operates in this sphere, with a business focused on port and container handling needs.
These include Clark Forklifts which operate both indoors and outdoors and handle a range of lifting capacities.
Clark has also observed demand for trucks engineered for heavy-duty applications.
Then there are Terberg Special Vehicles, with Terberg’s terminal tractors designed for efficient trailer handling in ports, distribution centres and industrial sites.
The Terberg YT200 EV represents an important push towards electrification.
“Together, these brands form a cohesive product ecosystem that supports every aspect of container logistics, from lifting and stacking to shuttling and staging,” a Clark spokesperson said.
Ports are going through a transformation under the influence of change drivers
Vinh Thai, Professor at RMIT
Professor of logistics and supply chain management at RMIT, Vinh Thai, said ports are going through a transformation under the influence of change drivers.
These include Industry 4.0 technologies as well as sustainability.
He notes some key trends including:
“On the side of shipping containers, we see the use of smart container technology including the use of sensors, IoT devices etc. in shipping containers for purposes of tracking and tracing, temperature monitoring, security, etc,” Professor Thai said.
“Then there is also the use of collapsible containers, containers that are folded flat when not in use, using light-weight materials.”
Eco-friendly containers are coming into use, made of environmentally-friendly materials with containers designed for reusability/repurposing.
“While it is a challenging time for the port and container sector, it is also exciting as industry responds to the needs for greater productivity and environmental sustainability,” Professor Thai said.