Now, more than ever, businesses need innovative solutions, especially within the logistics and global supply chain sector, which has grappled with the pace of change in today's world.In a recent white paper titled "Preparing Supply Chains for the Future", DP World underscores the essential role of innovation in aligning supply chains with the rapid pace at which the world is evolving, arguing that AI, digital twins, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing hold the transformative potential to reshape conventional global supply chains into agile digital networks.The logistics giant itself serves as a testament to the immense potential of technology and innovation. It's remarkable to think that just under 50 years ago, Jebel Ali was merely a single-berth port, in stark contrast to the sprawling 67-berth multipurpose terminal into which it has evolved today.For many industries – including pharmaceuticals, automotive and electronic components manufacturing – supply chains are a long and complex process, which usually spans locations and country boundaries,” reads the report. “Global supply chains are often disjointed, siloed, linear, rigid and slow in their response. They are characterised by a lack of coordination, agility and resilience. Big parts of the global value chain are still driven by antiquated and sluggish spreadsheet-based, manual systems.”Massive technological innovation, however, is set to revolutionise global supply chains. Experts expect 45% of supply chains to be mostly autonomous by 2025. “For example, robots in warehouses and stores, driverless forklifts and lorries, delivery drones and fully automated planning,” states the DP World repor t. “However, simply using digital technologies does not equate to creating a digitalised, autonomous supply chain. For this to happen, connected supply chain technologies are also needed across planning, procurement, manufacturing and logistics that work beyond the organisation’s walls. Experts say this is the difference between doing digital and being digital.”Cobus Rossouw, senior vice president of technology at DP World, emphasises that in sub-Saharan Africa economic prosperity hinges on the empowerment of the trade landscape, with technological innovation playing a pivotal role in achieving this goal. “Digitalisation is the key to modernisation, and sub-Saharan Africa has embraced this transformation wholeheartedly,” he said. “The ambition is one of enabling smarter trade for emerging economies. One notable on-the-ground story of innovation is the introduction of a Terminal Operating System at the Port of Luanda, which has streamlined container movements, increasing operational efficiency and reducing vessel turnaround times.
