The digital road to a Smart Port

How does a port become more “In a logistics context, the term efficient and productive? How can Smart Port refers to a shift from being a the supply chain work smarter? traditional port infrastructure provider to

According to Fremantle Ports Senior also being a provider of digital solutions for Logistics Officer Dom Thatcher, the port the entire port ecosystem, including multiof the future must be smart and digital to modal supply chain participants, and the remain relevant and sustainable. nearby port and broader communities.

“Fremantle Ports needs to use the best “This means taking on an impartial data digital tools to create a seamless flow governance role to enable the development throughout the supply chain in and around and management of digital solutions for the the Fremantle Inner Harbour, so that we benefit of the port ecosystem.” can get trucks in and out of the port in the Dom said, from a broad organisational least amount of time. perspective, becoming a Smart Port meant

“Most ports in the world are moving this developing solutions to address the current way and Fremantle Ports is exploring and and future challenges faced by seaports, pioneering these technologies.” including spatial and physical constraints,

But that doesn’t mean costs and effort pressures on efficiency and productivity, will be borne by the road transport industry. new business opportunities, safety and

“The road transport industry will receive security risks, and sustainability. intrinsic benefits there will be free-flowing “Our exploration of Smart Port digital traffic through the port, we will minimise or initiatives started with identifying the eradicate queueing and we’ll improve truck key driving features of the port’s landside turnaround times as the digital tools enable logistics activities, from which a series of us to anticipate potential problems and models, tools and concepts were developed. take mitigating action before they occur.” “Finally, a single platform was created to

So how does the Port of Fremantle unify the various initiatives.” become a Smart Port? The series of models, tools and

Fremantle Ports has been working on concepts are at varying stages of innovative digital initiatives to assist it development, ranging from conceptual to advance key strategic and operational through to pilot and finally operational. opportunities and challenges. They include a Landside Logistics

“The future smart port will deliver Activity Model, WA Supply Chain Data integrated solutions that optimise port and Intelligence Hub, Trade Prediction Model, supply chain efficiency, while minimising Trade Data Visualisation Globe, 3D Digital community and environmental impacts,” Twin, Truck and Train Video Analytics, Dom said. Container Tracking Concept, Green Light

3D Digital Twin of Fremantle Inner Harbour: A virtual representation of the physical port, enabling in an unprecedented manner real-time visualisation of the key functional components of the port Motorcade Concept and Port Carbon Footprint Concept.

He said the convergence of these digital initiatives would fundamentally transform the way Fremantle Ports and its supply chain partners do business.

“It will allow us to shift from the current reactive nature of our supply chain to being proactive and innovative.”

“Real-time information and enhanced visualisation provided by our digital capability will deliver new insights and intelligence that will enable supply chain optimisation.”

“Through an understanding of the potential of digital technology, we have defined our digital vision which is to transform our port capability through digitisation and redefine our position as an essential physical and digital node in the supply chain, by developing real-time, living models that drive business outcomes.

“Our ability to anticipate and optimise will be markedly enhanced, which will unlock unprecedented potential and opportunity to capitalise on our new capabilities, leading to a significant step change across the organisation.

“This is a journey for us all that might take several years to come to fruition and, together with our port partners, we are striving to generate tangible benefits across the supply chain.”

Dom Thatcher