Towards Green and Smart Seaports: Renewable Energy and Automation Technologies for Bulk Cargo Loading Operations

Abstract

In 2018, 4.1 billion tonnes of freight and 437 million passengers passed through the 1200 European ports. This dimension of geographically concentrated activities is the rationale that ports are characterised by a high-energy demand and a high share of emissions. Driven by a growing awareness for a cleaner environment, a stronger focus on sustainability and intensified environmental regulations, ports are forced to take responsibility when it comes to environmental issues. As a response, in recent studies, the concept of ‘green ports’ emerged. Simultaneously, in the context of digitalisation, the term ‘smart ports’ has received growing attention in the latest scientific discussions, too. Since an important driver towards greener maritime operations is linked to digitalisation, we argue that digital efforts in ports should next to the automation of inherent logistics processes also contribute to reducing the emissions and energy demands. Previous studies have primarily concentrated on the automation of container handling operations. Hence, there exists a research gap concerning the automation of bulk cargo handling operations in ports. Thus, this study addresses the question of how to automate the dry bulk cargo loading operations in the frame of a green and smart port development. The developed case study refers to the seaport of Wismar, whereby the results show that the digitalisation and greener port operations can be successfully aligned. Overall, this study extends the discussion on green and smart port development, while it contributes to the scientific literature by proving that both conceptual ideas can be achieved in the operating business.

The implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies in the operations of Smart Ports in Asia Pacific during the years 2018 to 2023

“…A partir de estas citas, se puede concluir que la automatización en los puertos inteligentes no solo busca aumentar la eficiencia y reducir costos, sino también mejorar la calidad del servicio, aumentar la seguridad y contribuir a la sostenibilidad ambiental [15]. La capacidad de los puertos automatizados para densificar sus operaciones y utilizar de manera óptima el espacio disponible puede llevar a la creación de terminales más compactos y eficientes [13].…”

“…En lo que respecta a la implementación, un ejemplo destacado es el caso de Asia Pacífico, que se ha caracterizado por ser una de las regiones que menos ha tardado en implementar la automatización en sus terminales [13]. Asimismo, dichas operaciones, especialmente la de manejo de contenedores, han demostrado mayor eficiencia energética debido a la agilización de las operaciones de carga y la reducción de la necesidad de mano de obra, lo que también ha resultado en una disminución de costos y precios, generando así una ventaja competitiva para el puerto [15]. Otra de las ventajas obtenidas por la aplicación de esta tecnología es la protección a los trabajadores fronterizos eliminando los riesgos de contacto innecesarios [16].…”

“…Para el puerto marítimo de Wismar la aplicación de la automatización completa sostenible para los procesos de carga tuvo éxito, logrando un ahorro del 45% de emisiones de CO2 en todo el puerto, además de mejoras en el rendimiento operativo que incluye el rendimiento del tiempo de carga, el mantenimiento de una tasa de ocupación óptima del 100% en la planta de carga a granel y la reducción del precio de carga para los clientes [15].…”

Green Port Strategies in Developed Coastal Countries as Useful Lessons for the Path of Sustainable Development: A case study in Vietnam

“…Chen, Huang, et al, 2019) According to modern perspectives from recent literature, the dialectical and tightly integrated relationship between the concept of green port and smart port is very clear. In the operation and development strategy of ports, green ports and smart ports always go hand in hand and integrate into each other (Philipp et al, 2021). The main goals of sustainable development in a port are the unification of green development goals with smart methods and infrastructure.…”

Determining the Optimal Directions of Investment in Regional Renewable Energy Development

“…CO 2 taxation is an essential instrument for supporting green investments in the European Union since it internalizes environmental costs into energy production. Philipp R. et al [55] investigated the financial performance of energy-saving investments under the frame conditions of increasing CO 2 taxation schemes. They revealed that in the long-term, RE investments might become economically favorable.…”