Posted on June 13, 2018
UK Major Ports Group (UKMPG) members, including DP World UK, Hutchison Ports and Peel Ports, have helped form the UKMPG’s latest report and infographics on the biggest developments that will shape the future of ports.
The survey, sent out to the groups nine members, highlights a number of digital and automation-based developments that will transform and boost competitiveness and customer propositions — enhancing the evolution of the physical port assets and connectivity with main economic and urban areas.
UKMPG believe that these insights will help to build towards “powerhouse ports needed for Brexit Britain” if the right pre-trade and pro-investment policy frameworks are implemented by the UK Government.
The infographics released by the group summarize the key themes and developments identified by the major ports.
These findings include:
• The future, today — It is already possible to point to real, commercial scale examples in the UK’s major ports of what some might characterize as a future state — transition to a low carbon future, remotely operated equipment and sophisticated data platforms.
• Harnessing the data and digitization revolution — The UK’s major ports see significant potential for use of data to drive more efficiency and create new businesses and services.
• Augmentation, not just automation — It seems fashionable to focus debate around autonomy, when augmentation of human operation is driving continued significant productivity improvements — productivity that in many cases full automation currently struggles to match.
• Making the future work for people — Economy wide developments such as major technology changes pose questions for society as a whole, and ports are no exception — there are opportunities from technology change, such as a safer working environment, and ports will remain important sources of good jobs and catalysts of wider employment
• Setting a framework for a fast-evolving future — The future for ports is difficult to predict with total confidence, however it is important to have a flexible policy and regulatory framework that allows port owners and operators to react to opportunities and challenges as they emerge.
Chief Executive of the UK Major Ports Group, Tim Morris, said “At the heart of our input to Government is a determination that ports will play as crucial a role in the 4th industrial revolution as they have in its predecessors, enabling the UK to trade with the world.
“We look forward to working with Government and others to develop the right policy and regulatory frameworks for the long term to make this potential a reality, boosting even further the considerable value that major ports contribute to the UK.”
Visit the UK Major Port Groups website to download the full infographic.
Source: PORT Technology
