How AI Illuminates the Path to Efficient Port Management

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How AI Illuminates the Path to Efficient Port Management

August 18th, 2025 Emily Newton Leave a comment

Ports are the heartbeat of global trade, moving millions of containers and commodities through intricate, tightly coordinated networks. Efficiency in this arena is a competitive necessity, shaping the fortunes of shipping companies, terminal operators and entire supply chains. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a catalyst for that advantage, reshaping how ports operate, plan and adapt to changing conditions.

In AI port management, the objective is straightforward yet far-reaching — improve safety, speed and sustainability while maintaining the precision required for a system where a single delay can ripple across continents. The technology is no longer an experimental add-on. It is embedding itself into the core infrastructure of global shipping, influencing decisions from berth allocation to emissions tracking.

Digital Twins and Operational Clarity

The Port of Corpus Christi in Texas offers a glimpse into how AI is redefining port intelligence. Its Overall Port Tactical Information System produces a three-dimensional digital twin of the port, merging real-time sensor feeds with decades of historical data. This visual and analytical replica is more than a static model — it reacts instantly to incoming information, displaying vessel positions, cargo handling activity and weather conditions.

For port operators, such situational awareness is transformative. Instead of relying solely on human observation or delayed reports, decision-makers can view the entire port’s operations as they happen. Ship tracking becomes more precise, navigational safety is sharpened and emergency preparedness is elevated through realistic, AI-generated simulation exercises. These drills can account for rare but critical events such as hazardous material spills or severe weather disruptions, ensuring teams have rehearsed responses before a crisis arrives.

Across the Atlantic, the Port of Rotterdam has taken operational clarity to an industrial scale. As one of the largest ports in the world, it handles over 14 million containers annually. Automation is central to its strategy — unmanned cranes and automated guided vehicles move cargo seamlessly between vessels, storage areas and trucks, coordinated through Internet of Things (IoT) networks. By embedding AI into scheduling and routing, Rotterdam reduces congestion in its container yards and maintains flow even during peak volumes. This is AI in maritime at scale — an interconnected, responsive ecosystem where every movement is informed by live data.

Optimizing Vessel Arrivals and Port Traffic Flow

Managing the ebb and flow of vessels is a constant challenge. Delays ripple through operations — disrupting cargo schedules, raising fuel burn as ships idle and delaying inland deliveries. AI is closing the gap between vessel and port operations by enabling real-time coordination.

Onboard AI analyzes fuel use, navigation patterns and port traffic to adjust routes dynamically. When shared instantly with port systems, these insights allow authorities to recalibrate berthing schedules, allocate cranes and manage yard space efficiently. The payoff is faster turnarounds, fewer delays and lower emissions — combining operational efficiency with sustainability in one competitive package.

Predictive Intelligence as the New Compass

Predictive analytics is fast becoming the compass for modern port planning. Traditional scheduling methods rely heavily on historical averages and static timetables, which can quickly become outdated when faced with volatile shipping patterns. AI-powered forecasting changes the equation.

Machine learning models such as XGBoost analyze vessel characteristics, historical arrival times, port traffic density, and weather forecasts to predict berthing schedules and vessel dwell times with striking accuracy. These predictions enable ports to allocate resources efficiently, avoiding costly idle time for both ships and handling equipment.

Busan Port in South Korea has taken predictive capabilities further by integrating its operations into an AI-driven metaverse. This collaborative virtual space enables terminal operators, shipping lines and logistics partners to plan together in real time. The system anticipates vessel arrivals days in advance, calculates optimal fuel usage, monitors emissions from yard equipment and flags potential safety incidents before they occur. A 2024 case study projected that this framework could deliver a 79% improvement in ship punctuality and generate about USD 7.3 million in additional direct annual revenue.

Similar predictive systems are appearing in North America and Europe, helping ports navigate seasonal surges, labor constraints and geopolitical disruptions. When a port can predict the knock-on effects of a delay at one berth, it can adjust schedules across the facility, preventing congestion from cascading into a full-blown operational bottleneck.

Automation and Human Expertise in Balance

Automation has become a cornerstone of throughput expansion. Yet automation alone cannot define success. Ports that excel in AI port management balance machinery with human expertise. In fact, in 2019, the Brookings Institute reported that one in four American workers could see 70% or more of their tasks handled by automation. In ports, this reality underscores the urgency of workforce transition planning.

Automation should not simply replace manual labor, but shift it toward higher-value roles in supervision, analytics and strategic decision-making. Structured upskilling programs ensure workers can interpret AI outputs, manage automated systems and respond decisively in complex scenarios. This transition requires structured programs that teach workers to interpret AI outputs, manage automated systems and troubleshoot anomalies quickly.

This human-machine synergy ensures that the institutional knowledge built over decades of operations is preserved and enhanced rather than replaced. Operators bring contextual judgment that even the most advanced algorithm cannot replicate, particularly in complex, high-stakes scenarios like emergency docking or multi-ship coordination during adverse weather.

Sustainability Through Smarter Operations

AI enables ports to meet environmental goals while boosting efficiency. By optimizing berth assignments and vessel sequencing, it cuts ship idle times and associated emissions.

In the Port of Monroe, Mythos AI — the first participant in Newlab’s Multimodal Logistics Challenge — is piloting advanced mapping of port berths and anchorages. This project creates a detailed digital twin of the waterway, exposing machine learning models to real-world conditions and enabling vessels to carry fuller loads safely, improving both fuel efficiency and traffic predictability. These advancements form the foundation for automated marine highways, which aim to move goods more efficiently via smaller vessels, inland waterways and rivers, reducing bottlenecks and lowering carbon emissions.

Ports are also pairing AI with energy management systems that monitor crane, lighting and refrigeration use, identifying adjustments that lower costs and carbon footprints. In this context, sustainability is the natural outcome of smarter operations.

The Strategic Narrative for Logistics Leaders

For logistics professionals and fleet owners, the integration of AI in port operations signals a strategic turning point. Digital twins deliver real-time, unified views of all port activities, from berth utilization to yard congestion. Predictive analytics elevate planning from a reactive scramble to an anticipatory, finely tuned process. Automation increases throughput capacity, yet retains human judgment where it is most valuable, ensuring resilience in complex situations.

At the same time, sustainability goals align seamlessly with these efficiency gains. AI-driven berth scheduling reduces emissions while preserving vessel schedules. Automated systems maintain steady cargo flow without overtaxing human labor, and predictive maintenance keeps equipment running efficiently, avoiding costly downtime.

In this emerging landscape, ports that view AI as a long-term strategic asset — rather than a short-term upgrade — will command a competitive edge. They will process higher volumes, adapt faster to disruptions, and project a stronger reputation among environmentally conscious shippers and investors. The future of AI in maritime operations belongs to those who integrate technology, people and sustainability into a single, coherent strategy.

The Lighthouse and the Engine

AI is now both guide and driver for the maritime sector — from real-time digital twins to predictive scheduling and autonomous navigation. Beyond efficiency, it shapes strategy, supports sustainability and keeps ports competitive. Successful leaders will be those who use AI with precision, building ports ready for the future.

Archives, Global Trade Daily, U.S. Ports

LAMAR’S PORT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ENHANCES CAREERS AND BUILDS KNOWLEDGE

August 23rd, 2021 GT Staff Leave a comment

Lamar University’s new Center for Port Management prepares today’s port and terminal management professionals for tomorrow’s industry challenges and opportunities. The center’s flagship offering is the fully online Master of Science degree in Port and Terminal Management. The 12-course program blends theory and practice through course content and delivery, taught in equal measure by industry experts sourced globally, and faculty from Lamar’s Business College and Industrial Engineering Department.

“Throughout my 40-year career, the port industry has sought an advanced degree in port management that would recognize the exceptional nature of this critical profession, as well as advancing its practice,” says Erik Stromberg, the center’s first executive director. “As an industry veteran, my focus is on the application of knowledge to the practice of port management.

“Historically, port managers prepared for their significant responsibilities through on-the-job training and continuing education as offered by trade organizations, such as AAPA,” says Stromberg in reference to the American Association of Port Authorities, which he ran for 10 years. “The required set of skills and knowledge could take years to develop, but even then, it would typically address the manager’s functional focus and not the broad spectrum of port authority roles and responsibilities.

“Our port master’s degree program spans the many interdisciplinary skill sets a senior port leader needs to understand and apply. Management skills training in leadership, team building and decision-making are included in the curriculum. The curriculum also addresses one of the most important port management responsibilities, which is to balance the public and private sector roles a port authority must play.”

Stromberg continues, “Importantly, one of the very important if less obvious roles our port industry veterans play in delivering course content is to convey the normative value of port management. Port authorities operate as a public enterprise, requiring management acumen and business-like efficiency in the delivery of public goods—jobs, economic development and waterborne commerce. There is a tangible aspect of port management that prides itself on generating public benefits, as well as achieving commercial success that engenders a strident dedication to the craft.”

The center’s program also provides continuing education to Texas and West Gulf ports and terminal managers, primarily through the SE Texas Waterways Advisory Council’s Education, Research and Workforce Development Committee. Two very successful programs—“Women in Transportation Management—Ports and Terminals” and the annual “Hurricane Planning” workshop/webinar—recently concluded.

The third aspect of the center’s activities lies in sponsoring industry-relevant research. Most of the supported projects have successfully facilitated safer and more efficient waterborne transportation and waterway utilization. These projects, along with information about the center’s education and training programs, can be found at lamar.edu/portmanagement.

Archives, Executive Education, Global Trade Daily

LAMAR UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR PORT MANAGEMENT MASTER’S PROGRAM SHARPENS LEADERS’ SKILLS

May 2nd, 2021 GT Staff Leave a comment

Editor’s note-In this exclusive interview with Erik Stromberg, executive director of Lamar University’s Center for Port Management, we discover how the center’s advanced and continuing education programs are taking professional development in the port industry to the next level.

Global Trade: What can professionals anticipate with a master’s degree in Port and Terminal Management from Lamar University?

Erik Stromberg: In brief, the goals for our graduates are, one, to improve their management skills and perform their current job better and, two, to increase their opportunities to grow their port and terminal management responsibilities.

Allow me to step back and talk about public port management, and the skills and aptitudes required for success. I should say that I am more familiar with the challenges of managing a public port than a private marine terminal, but there is overlap, as well as a significant difference.

Both require, to varying degrees, management skills and familiarity with the technical aspects of the industry, from planning, engineering and risk-based property and asset management, to business development; from government and public relations to terminal operations, safety and security; from IT and digital technologies to HR. In other words, both public and private port managers need to know how to run a business. While most port authorities lease out terminals and other facilities, many have decided their best interest lies in operating the terminals they own.

The most profound distinction, however, between a port authority and a private terminal operating company lies in their ultimate stakeholders. Private terminals are owned by family, management or investors, or if publicly traded, its shareholders. A port authority is a public enterprise ultimately owned by and accountable to the taxpayer.

The public aspect of managing the port creates a special challenge. It is my view that most public port industry leaders think of themselves as business people doing the public’s business, rather than public administrators trying to run an organization like a business. This is why our program is supported by Lamar’s Business College, as well as our Industrial Engineering Department. But the public aspect of port management must be abided. It doesn’t guarantee success, but ignoring public concerns is a risky strategy. And for every port authority, there are multiple public constituencies, further complicating matters.

Global Trade: Why should professionals pick this program to enhance their career?

Erik Stromberg: Simply put, there is no program devoted to the advanced education of port and marine terminal managers in the hemisphere. The asynchronous program is fully online, facilitating access by students from wherever they live. We have designed flexibility into the program to help our students accommodate a significant demand on their work and personal lives.

Taking one course per term, it typically takes two years to complete. Our program is affordable, at just over $14,000 for the master’s degree. Furthermore, based on the MOU Lamar has with the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), students with the Association’s Professional Port Manager certification can waive up to 15 credit hours toward their master’s degree.

Stepping back, a fundamental question is: “Why a master’s degree?” In the continuum of professional education and training, a master’s degree represents a commitment and a focus not available with continuing education or an undergraduate degree. Our students enter Lamar’s advanced education in port management program seeking the “mastery” of a set of interdisciplinary skills and knowledge for the purpose of their application in the management of ports and marine terminals. In other words, theoretical study is valued to the extent it can be applied in practice.

Our online platform facilitates not only access by working professionals entering the program as students, but also to the world of industry experts who sign up as adjunct faculty eager to teach what they’ve learned throughout their careers. Our students come from within the port and terminal operating industry seeking to enhance career opportunities, along with those from outside the port industry wanting to enter the exciting field of port and terminal management. Lamar’s interactive, online learning platform also facilitates the ability of students to learn from each other as well as from our faculty.

Global Trade: Can you briefly review what the student should expect in the way of course work?

Erik Stromberg: To start with, the 12-course program does not stretch the student’s quantitative skills (i.e., no calculus), but it’s still pretty intense. We have had exceptions, but one course per term seems to be enough for our working professional students to handle.

The port master’s degree curriculum pulls in business and industrial engineering courses that provide both technical knowledge and “soft-skills,” management education.

A summary of our degree program would mention the following:

-comprehensive and in-depth study and understanding of the public port and private marine terminal operating industry and the environment in which it operates

-analytical and decision-making skills

-leadership and team building skills

-lessons learned and best practices from industry experts, including student/faculty and student/student interaction

-online, asynchronous learning

-latest advances in technology and management

-focused and facilitated study opportunity of port and terminal operating industry

Global Trade: How does Lamar select the faculty for this program?

Erik Stromberg: Industry experts serving as adjunct faculty members teach fully half of our 12-course curriculum. I guide our students through Introduction to Port Management with a preponderance of guest lecturers. These industry veterans have an abiding interest not only in sharing their knowledge and experiences, but also continuing to learn and explore with our working professional students.

The remaining courses are taught by faculty from the Industrial Engineering Department and the College of Business. Every course is populated with guest lectures given by subject matter experts from outside the university.

Besides my Introduction to Port Management class, courses taught by our adjunct faculty are: Strategic and Facility Planning; Security and Emergency Management; Port Asset and Property Management; and Freight Transportation Logistics. Guest lecturers are used throughout the curriculum.

The center’s Advisory Board members play a very helpful role in both serving at times as guest lecturers, as well as suggestions for curriculum content and adjunct faculty.

Global Trade: Have Lamar Business and Industrial Engineering faculty been able to create or adapt existing graduate-level courses to accommodate the needs of a port management curriculum?

Erik Stromberg: Absolutely. With the addition of industry experts serving as guest lecturers, these courses blend theory and practice. Included are the following courses: Capital Planning and Implementation; Legal Framework of Ports and Trade; and Marine Terminal Operations.

Global Trade: How is Lamar University handling challenges with the pandemic while still providing educational excellence?

Erik Stromberg: The current crisis has disrupted the traditional classroom experience. However, the pandemic has spotlighted successful, remote learning platforms, including Lamar’s, which has been utilized for over a decade.

Given that access to potential students as well as adjunct faculty and guest lecturers is facilitated by online learning, the challenges presented by the pandemic have been minimized.

Center for Port Management Students Speak for Themselves

“I find the program challenging and providing new skills for how I manage my port projects and my decision-making process. I already see the value of the program as a tool to advance my career.”

-Ron Coddington, port engineer, the Port of Palm Beach

“It made me a better manager, broadening my perspective and forcing me to think more analytically about the issues I regularly deal with.”

-Larry Kelley, CEO, Port of Port Arthur (and the program’s first graduate)

“It is the only port-specific graduate program in the country that is focused on developing the interdisciplinary skills required of effective and impactful port managers. This means that students are exposed to every aspect of the port business, from business administration to engineering, economics to operations, and everything in between.”

-Sean Fairchild, U.S. citizen currently working as a port industry consultant in Bogota, Colombia

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To learn more about Lamar University’s Center for Port Management master’s degree program, and other continuing education opportunities, visit lamar.edu/port management.

Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Ocean Ports

Port-Side Energy Debate: Propane vs. Electric

March 15th, 2021 Matt McDonald Leave a comment

Ports and terminals across the country are looking for opportunities to streamline their operation, reduce their environmental impact, and increase efficiency, which leads to a common question: What alternative energy keeps ports productive while cutting emissions?

Both propane and electric solutions offer certain operational benefits. For example, electric equipment produces zero emissions during operation and offers reliable performance when handling lighter loads. Propane equipment, on the other hand, is popular for its nonstop power, resiliency, and versatility to handle loads of all sizes.

It’s important to consider which energy source can help you get the most out of your workday and your equipment. Propane-powered equipment can help ports maximize efficiency, while still allowing port crews to be proud stewards of the environment. And because propane is a primary energy source and electricity is a secondary energy source, it takes more energy to produce electricity, impacting its cleanliness, efficiency, and cost.

A transparent look at site-to-source emissions

As ports and terminals seeking reduced emissions and better air quality flee from traditional fuels, like gasoline and diesel, many have a tendency to adopt an electrify-everything mindset — but a low-emissions future doesn’t need to be an electric-only one.

Propane presents another alternative to traditional diesel-powered equipment — and with a more transparent emissions profile than electricity. Many material handling professionals I speak to are surprised to learn that propane is actually cleaner than electric when you take site-to-source emissions into account.

While it’s true electric-powered equipment and vehicles produce zero emissions during operation, it’s full emissions profile and impact is often overlooked, including emissions produced in the creation and transmission of electric batteries. Additionally, you have to consider the emissions produced at coal-fired plants where electricity is generated, as well as the emissions during transportation to the port. And because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers electric batteries a hazardous material, you can’t simply dispose of them without severely impacting the environment. Instead, they have specific handling and disposal regulations attached.

Propane, on the other hand, is an approved clean alternative fuel under the Clean Air Act of 1990 and, according to data from the Propane Education & Research Council, using propane produces 43 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than using an equivalent amount of electricity generated from the U.S. grid

Additionally, renewable propane is an emerging energy source that will be able to offer clean, low-emissions operations. Renewable propane is a byproduct of the renewable diesel and jet fuel production process, which converts plant and vegetable oils, waste greases, and animal fat into energy. Because it’s produced from renewable, raw materials, renewable propane is even cleaner than conventional propane — and far cleaner than other energy sources. And considering its chemical structure and physical properties are the same as traditional propane, renewable propane can be used for all the same applications.

Unmatched performance for maximum productivity

We all know that crews working port-side don’t have time to waste during the workday. According to IHS Markit’s Global Trade Atlas (GTA) Forecasting, North American seaports handled 2.34 billion metric tons of goods, valued at $2.53 trillion. In order to keep pace with the demanding workload and efficiently perform heavy-duty tasks, crews need powerful, versatile equipment.

Battery-powered forklifts and electric vehicles can be a compelling solution when handling lighter tasks, but performance in a port setting is really where propane sets itself apart. Propane offers the versatility to handle virtually every workload size and most notably, dominates the middle and top weight classes of forklifts with 90 percent of Class 4 and 5 forklifts being powered by propane. This means you can look to propane for a one-fuel solution, plus you won’t have to schedule downtime for recharging, like with electric.

Reliability when you need it most

Port cities are historic, which often means they’re relying on much older energy grids. But because of their relentless workload, it’s important for port operations to be as independent and autonomous with their energy source as possible. Fortunately, propane is a dependable, resilient energy source that can be stored on-site so it’s always there when you need it.

To learn more about the benefits of port-side propane equipment, visit Propane.com/Ports.

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Matt McDonald is the director of off-road business development for the Propane Education & Research Council. He can be reached at matt.mcdonald@propane.com.

Archives, Executive Education, Global Trade Daily

Qatar Trade Summit: Innovation and Disruption Revolutionising the Logistics Industry in Qatar.

October 4th, 2019 Nispana Innovative Platforms Pvt Ltd. Leave a comment

Valuable insights into the future of Qatar’s Trade and investments sector aligned with logistics and supply chain in the region will be showcased at the exclusive Qatar Trade Summit scheduled to take place from 25th to 27th November 2019 in Doha, Qatar, The summit is Qatar’s only event focusing on the nation’s economic diversification plans and progress with strategic plans on becoming the regions logistics hub.

The summit will strive to examine the nation’s potential on becoming the region’s economic powerhouse via 3 days of deliberations on sea ports development, Shipping and Air Cargo industry, future of logistics and supply chain as well as a final day dedicated to engage in interactive sessions on Qatar’s trade and investment prospects. Attending delegates and partners will get a first-hand knowledge of Qatar’s logistics and supply chain industry, the planned development of sea ports to support regional growth, the influence of shipping air cargo and the free zones in opening up opportunities for regional and foreign companies to invest and do business in Qatar” stated Allan Martin, Communications Director, Qatar Trade Summit.

All aspects of the shipping industry, port development, air cargo, supply chain and logistics and trade and investments will be discussed at this summit. The event will engage the entire ecosystem of the logistics business in Qatar focusing on procurement, forwarding, planning, new business, infrastructure and investments. The theme of the summit is to explore the scale of innovation and disruption which is revolutionizing the logistics industry in Qatar and the nation’s keen intent on diversifying into a thriving economy prior to the prestigious FIFA 2022 football world cup taking place in Qatar. Qatar Trade Summit will directly impact a comprehensive range of sectors in the region and will cover solutions and products to uplift these sectors. The areas covered will be Ship building, Port management, Port Infrastructure development, Air Cargo expansion, Logistics and supply chain solutions and the investments and business opportunities in Qatar.

The summit’s profile includes key dignitaries such as H.E. Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO, Qatar Airways, Capt. Abdulla Al-Khanji, CEO, Mwani Qatar, Qatar, Mr. Abdulrahman Essa Al-Mannai, President & CEO, MILAHA, Qatar, Mr. Lim Meng Hui, CEO, Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA), Mr. James Baker, Editor, Lloyd’s List Containers, UK, Mr. Glyn Hughes, Global Head of IATA Cargo, Switzerland, Mr. Turhan Özen, Chief Cargo Officer, Turkish Airlines, Mr. Amadou Diallo, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Middle East & Africa, Mr. Bertrand Maltaverne, Solutions Consultant, Ivalua, Austria, Mr. Fikret Ersoy, MD, BDP International, Middle East, Turkey & Africa from Qatar and across the globe who will be presenting at the conference and the summit will also host some of the world’s best solution providers and also invite attendees from leading government and private entities from Qatar.

The Qatar Trade Summit will also feature one of the most exhaustive and inclusive knowledge sessions seen at a national summit. The conference will include 19 topics spread across 4 sessions, and two key workshops all scheduled over 3 days of high level networking and interaction. Qatar Trade Summit will assist in realising Qatar’s ambitions to become the logistics and trade leader in the Middle East.

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How AI Illuminates the Path to Efficient Port Management

Digital Twins and Operational Clarity

Optimizing Vessel Arrivals and Port Traffic Flow

Predictive Intelligence as the New Compass

Automation and Human Expertise in Balance

Sustainability Through Smarter Operations

The Strategic Narrative for Logistics Leaders

The Lighthouse and the Engine

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