Smart port call system demonstrator

The uncertainty surrounding ship arrival times makes planning difficult for all parties involved. The speed at which many ships travel is environmentally unacceptable; they rush to anchorage areas, where they then wait to load or unload.
The ‘Smart port call system demonstrator’ project takes a holistic approach to arrivals in order to achieve sustainable change. Information sharing facilitates planning for stakeholders. Smart arrivals with pre-planned time slots enable ships to reduce their speed and avoid the need to anchor outside ports unnecessarily, providing a solution that benefits both the environment and the economy.

However, these two solutions must be supported by changes in behaviour, culture and values among stakeholders with regard to information sharing. Obstructive rules, contracts and business models must be reviewed, and incentives to work in new ways must be introduced.

As part of the project, the University of Gothenburg is investigating regulations and economic incentives, and with strong support from the ports, will identify and propose changes. Meanwhile, the Swedish ports of Gävle, Luleå and Piteå are developing information sharing to improve call coordination, including time slots. The Swedish Maritime Administration plays a key role in facilitating information sharing for all Swedish ports. The Norrbotten Chamber of Commerce's logistics council ensures the industry's perspective is considered and works to enable the industry to speed up improvements.