How could technological innovations change the world of port and terminal management?
It is one of the topics discussed at the annual Association of Canadian Port Authorities conference in Saint John this week.
Tiemen Meester of DP World said robotization and automation will be a key trend, but he does not think we will see a lot of terminals become fully automated.
“They are just outrageously expensive, they are very complicated to execute,” Meester said. “The individual robots can be done easily but to interface between them is highly complex.”
Meester said the trend is really about leveraging technology to run better operations and machinery.
He said reducing CO2 emissions will also be a key trend in the coming years and believes Canadian ports have an opportunity to become leaders.
Tiemen Meester of DP World is speaking at the @ACPA_AAPC conference in #SaintJohn. He’s discussing how technology and automation will impact the world of port and terminal management. pic.twitter.com/mCq5AhClUq
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) September 11, 2018
“Specifically to foster and to create electrification of our operations, introduce hybrid technology and stop-start and alternative fuels,” Meester said. “It’s not just for new operations. We need to think about how can we convert what is already there.”
Other key trends include upsizing container ships and adapting the labour force.
Meester said it is also important to invest in Canada’s supply chain, which includes building network resiliency and long-term sustainability.
“Sometimes we forget the related infrastructure,” he said. “You can build a support, but you’re not home safe. What happens outside the gate, what happens with the road, with the bridge, with the rail capacity, et cetera, et cetera.”
The conference continues until Thursday.
