Building the port infrastructure of tomorrow

Compliance with ESG is certainly a critical factor when planning and implementing port strategies and is a focus for many stakeholders. Zero carbon generation within the next 20 to 30 years is now mandated by many authorities in industrial countries and, when combining this with enhanced environmental compliance, will need to include incentives (subsidies) and mandates by authorities to create an outcome that is sustainable both in an environmental and commercial way.

Green energy, automation and digitalisation for optimisation of port operations, together with provision of flexibility within the port infrastructure for change of operation (with minimum investment), will play a great role in future port planning and design.

Port decarbonisation has accelerated in recent years. Electrification of ports is expanding because of both internal and external mandates. More and more cruise facilities are moving towards ship-to-shore power while cargo/container operators are seeing a big push towards net zero.

Densification of existing terminals appears to be a quicker, more affordable fix for capacity increase and use of simulation and emulation techniques have proved to be an effective mid-term fix for such capacity issues prior to actual expansion of the ports, which in many cases is limited due to space and environmental challenges.

The continued push towards automation and use of digital tools will serve to improve port efficiency as they help lower operational costs and improve terminal productivity, capacity, safety and security. The challenge is to make sure that these are considered in the most appropriate context for individual ports or terminals. Planning and simulation of such technologies, including the specific operational expectations and power requirements of various solutions, ensures the context, vision and results are aligned for future success. We help translate such requirements and investments into automation roadmaps that can support planning for capital and operating costs, integrating key infrastructure decisions regarding operations and decarbonisation efforts.

Historically, ports have tended to create population centres and as these have grown the ports have become a nemesis to the cities they have created. Ports are the economic engine of the region’s hinterland, but congestion and air pollution are a byproduct of ports.

Gradual separation of ports’ transportation infrastructure (future ports) by using inland ports’ distribution centres along with digitalisation to ease the pickup and drop-off of freight from the inland facilities can be a good first step to reduce air pollution and congestion. Other measures, such as innovations in cargo-handling equipment, that streamline and optimise port operation needs to be considered.

Automated vehicles, green fuel freight transport and self-energy sustained ports are all part of future ports initiatives.

An edited version of this article appears in Ports & Harbors May/June 2024

Published by Lee Buttaci, UK&I / Europe Director of Ports & Marine at AECOM