A new report highlighting the key automation and digitalisation trends transforming the global port and terminal logistics sector has found that as container terminals face rising demands for efficiency, safety, and sustainability, automation and digitalisation have become essential to modern operations.
Jointly presented by Fernride, Passify, and Heyport GmbH, with support from HHLA Next and HPC Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), the report provides essential insights for industry professionals facing the challenges of port modernisation.
It is based on an extensive survey of 101 industry professionals conducted in October via the Port Technology International platform.
“Our motivation in creating this report with our partners was to provide the industry with actionable insights that help ports and terminals adopt new technologies smoothly and sustainably.
“This holistic process requires us to collaborate, learn from one another, and share best practices to keep the entire sector competitive and resilient,” said Peter Szelei, senior director of business development at Fernride.
The report established that over half of respondents were moving from minimal to moderate automation, with larger terminals advancing faster, while smaller ones focused on incremental, affordable upgrades.
Phased digitalisation appears to be the norm, with 80% of terminals reaching moderate to high digitalisation; technologies like digital twins, predictive analytics, AI, and machine learning are becoming essential for data-driven, streamlined operations.
The main drivers for tech adoption include operational efficiency, cost savings, and data-driven insights, reflecting a push toward improved throughput and resource management.
Initial costs, integration issues, and workforce adjustments are key barriers, but gradual investment and scalable solutions help mitigate these challenges.
“Implementing automation and digitalisation in ports comes with real hurdles – complexities of existing infrastructure, high initial costs, and the need to bring the workforce along on this journey,” said Marcel Lindemann, co-founder of Passify.
“These are not easy barriers to overcome. But despite the complexity, we’re seeing that the long-term benefits in efficiency and operational resilience are well worth the effort. Every step forward strengthens our industry’s competitiveness and sets a new standard for safety and productivity.”
For more information and a full report, please visit Fernride.com.
"This report represents a practical roadmap for sustainable technology adoption, helping ports and terminals make informed, gradual transformations within their capabilities and budget, always according to their vision. Offering strategic guidance on phased automation, interoperability, data infrastructure, and workforce training, the report promotes a resilient and competitive future,” said Danai Antonopoulou, automation expert at HPC.
