New technologies are rapidly changing the transport and logistics landscape, hence requesting all transport, logistics and supply chains actors, including inland and sea ports, to be more innovative and agile. Danube ports cannot ignore the rising tide of global digitalisation and port authorities need to prepare for and invest now in their digital future. However, it is often unclear what “digital” means for a port organisation, its core business and the port community at large. Port digitalization it is in fact a long-term process which requires port organisations and port stakeholders alike to undergo continuous structural, functional and strategic transformations.

Are ports in the Danube Region prepared for such a transformational journey? What are the pre-requisites and the capabilities needed to enable such a process? What is the role of a port authority to leading such a process and foster a digital culture in its own organisation and at port community level?

To answer these questions and kick-start a more structured debate on port digitalisation, relevant digital trends & technologies in the port domain, the Danube Ports Network has organised within the context of the DAPhNE Project its first thematic conference dedicated to port digitalisation.

Under the title “Danube Ports in the digital age: challenges & opportunities”, the event featured 14 speakers that ranged from leading experts in ICT, digital transformation and innovation in maritime and inland ports and navigation, to transport, logistics, supply chain and automation experts, to EU transport policy and funding experts.

The conference highlighted current EU policies and legislative initiatives to support sea & inland ports digitalisation, showcased how first-movers have responded to the digital challenge and driven the needed change at port organisation and port community level i.e the case of Port of Barcelona, the Port of Rotterdam model, the HAROPA (Le Havre – Rouen - Paris) and the Upper Rhine smart corridor approaches etc..  Furthermore, the conference gave insight into ongoing port digitalisation projects and initiatives -- illustrating how modern communication technologies can help to sustainably optimise the processes and operations of river and sea ports. Last but not least, participants got to experience cutting-edge technologies and innovative digital  solutions for integrated port traffic management, Port Community System and Supply Chain Route Planning during an interactive online workshop run by the Port of Rotterdam.

Agenda

Introductory remarks by Dr. Michael PROHASKA, CEO the tean GmbH & Co KG

Introductory remarks by Mr. Nik DELMEIRE, Coordinator European Inland Waterway Transport (IWT) Platform

Session 1: EU policies & legal frameworks enabling digital transformations in the waterborne (river & maritime) transport sector

Item 1.   EU frameworks enabling digital transformations in inland & maritime transport sectors benefiting Danube Region’s port

Item 2.   Corridor RIS implementation: opportunities for Danube region’s ports and terminals

Item 3.   Improving administrative procedures and processes for IWT on the Danube through digital solutions

Session 2: Enabling digital solutions for ports: EU funding schemes & non-legislative tools

Item 4.   EU Funding schemes enabling the development and implementation of digital infrastructure & solutions benefiting ports

Item 5.   EU digital tools enabling digital port developments

               The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Building Blocks

               e-IMPACT| e-Freight Implementation Action

Session 3: Digitalisation at work: pilot projects and best practice examples for Danube Region’s ports

Item 6.   Upper Rhine traffic management platform: presentation and live demo

Item 7.   Smart services for inland ports and IWT – 2 case studies from the projects “SELIS” and “Binntelligent”

Item 8.   The “Smart Corridor” approach of HAROPA (Le Havre – Rouen - Paris) Ports

Session 4: From digital to smart: port digitalisation trends & models

Item 9.  The Smart port model - the port of Barcelona’s perspective

Item 10. Levels of digital maturity of ports, by Port of Rotterdam