Digitalization of port operations as a factor in reducing vessel turnaround time and accelerating fleet turnover

Abstract

The continuous complication of global supply routes has exposed the acute problem of limited throughput capacity of marine terminals. In essence, traditional dispatching methods relying on manual document coordination have physically exhausted their potential. It is precisely in the growing mismatch between cargo turnover volumes and outdated management algorithms that the relevance of digital transformation of the stevedoring business is seen. The aim is to analyze the impact of intelligent environments (predictive algorithms, the Internet of Things, distributed ledgers) on reducing the time vessels spend in harbors. Meanwhile, a conceptual contradiction is traced in the scientific literature today. Static mathematical models for calculating standards, borrowed from classical queuing theory, conflict with the objective need of business for flexible, situational fleet routing. The work notes that the deployment of port community systems (PCS) makes it possible to reduce the duration of bureaucratic procedures by more than a third. It is summarized that algorithmic optimization of information flows provides a significantly greater return on capital than extensive expansion of concrete berthing infrastructure. A modern logistics hub inevitably evolves into a powerful computing center. The obtained conclusions and recommendations form an applied analytical base for port management. At the same time, the material will be useful to economists and automation engineers.