The emerging trend of technology uptake at ports has stirred the interest of not just the major ports but also private ports in the country. The non-major ports have started deploying more sophisticated and superior technologies to not only increase their efficiency levels to be able to handle greater cargo volumes but also to outperform the major ports.
Speaking at a recent webinar on “Digital Transformation of Ports” hosted by Indian Infrastructure, Captain S. Ravi Chander, unit head and vice president, Jaigarh port, JSW Infrastructure Limited, and Prasad Patil, chief technology officer, JM Baxi Technology Businesses, discussed the key technological initiatives being taken and the technologies already in place at their terminals. Excerpts from the discussion…
JSW Infrastructure Limited
JSW Infrastructure currently operates seven ports and terminals – Jaigarh port, Dharamtar port, Southwest port, two terminals at Paradip port and one terminal each in Goa and Mumbai (Nandgaon captive jetty). Having multiple port facilities has made technological transformation inevitable for the group.
JSW Infrastructure has increased technology penetration in a number of activities including those related to its terminal operating system (TOS) and terminal administration system. One of the most important technological transformations is with respect to the port authorities and other stakeholders switching to cloud computing and other cloud-based technologies. Besides, the JSW Group’s ports have fully centralised networks wherein the servers are sited at multiple locations and the data is uploaded on a real-time basis. These interventions have brought about a transformational change in the way the ports function.
While the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has impacted the maritime sector in a big way, it has certainly increased the adoption of technology-based solutions at the ports. One of the biggest technological initiatives that has been taken amidst the ongoing pandemic is the digital issuance and approval of documents. Earlier, a lot of paperwork was required for handling cargo at ports. COVID-19 has certainly reduced the paperwork to a great extent. Customs authorities too have been quick to adapt to the changed requirements. Documents such as out of charge and final assessment papers are now being given online by customs without any manual intervention.
In light of an unprecedented increase in the adoption of technological initiatives at ports, one of the challenges being faced by port operators is the lack of connected platforms. In addition, customs authorities are always involved in the process of flow of information from ports to end customers, adding to delays in the overall communication process. Though the authorities are also taking their share of technological initiatives, it is the lack of connected platforms that is increasing the overall processing time. Nevertheless, with the deployment of blockchain technology at ports on the anvil, the flow of information is expected to be far more structured, thereby enabling seamless exchange of information between government stakeholders and others.
With regard to the current technologies being used at the JSW ports, systems applications and products in data processing have already been in place for almost a decade. Meanwhile, the port operator is also planning to install speed cameras, increase the number of internet of things tags and switch from computer-based to app-based technologies to increase efficiency levels at ports.
JM Baxi Group
The JM Baxi Group’s focus is on four key aspects – integration, customer experience, last-mile automation and a culture of enhancing and embracing digitalisation. With respect to integration of port operations, the JM Baxi terminals are moving towards a more standardised platform, that is, enterprise resource planning (ERP). ERP not only reduces the system development time, but also results in the standardisation of workflow. Once the technology is integrated with all the port functions, it is expected to help the management in faster decision-making. Meanwhile, the port operator has already revamped most of the back-end TOS and has ensured that it is in synchronisation with the desired business outcomes.
Over the years, the JM Baxi Group has taken a plethora of initiatives to enhance customer experience. The key ones include augmenting the use of digital marketing to provide real-time information to customers, providing up-to-date information on its websites, and sending notification alerts to the end customers.
With respect to last-mile automation, there is a huge difference in technology adoption across different levels. While highly intelligent systems have been deployed in data centres, last-mile processes are still dependent on a number of manual tasks. In the long run, JM Baxi plans to enhance integration with the last-mile deployment of automation and technologies. Besides deploying sophisticated technologies to increase integration and enhance customer experience, the port operator has also been imparting knowledge regarding the importance of digital transformation at ports to ensure that the skill set of its personnel is enhanced so as to better use the different interfaces. With regard to the level of technology penetration, a strong backend infrastructure system is already in place at the JM Baxi terminals. Further, the system is linked to a smart hybrid cloud and a smart data centre enabling efficient operations. With the outbreak of the pandemic, the adoption of these systems across various port communities has only become better.
Compared to their global counterparts, Indian ports still lag behind in the adoption of blockchain technologies. However, there is a need to understand that such sophisticated technologies need to be preceded by a process standardisation. Further, analysing the deployment of blockchain in port operations and its success rate, it is evident that there is a need to train the people who would be using these technologies to ensure their success. One may deploy the best of technologies with the best of intentions, but the quantum of difference in the actual and anticipated output will depend on the consumption of technology among those working at the terminals.
Meanwhile, considering the new health-related norms, JM Baxi is currently looking at specific systems to ensure that the health of its employees is well taken care of. The group is planning to install thermal cameras at terminal entry points for contactless detection of the temperature of its workers.
While the increasing technology penetration is a boon for the maritime sector, it has cyber risks associated with it. In this context, though the resolve of port and terminal operators to embed IT in almost all port operations is commendable, the acceptance of these technoloies will depend on the security of the technology powering them. In light of the increasing number of cyberthreats, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the need to create a cyber-resilient environment across the entire value chain.
The way forward
The government’s increased focus on digitalisation of port operations is surely expected to bring about an improvement in efficiency levels and increase cargo handling at ports. Moreover, the adoption of 5G technologies will further enhance the efficiency levels at ports.
Going forward, port operations are expected to be technology-driven. Thus, there exist abundant opportunities for next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain in port operations and the logistics segment as a whole.
“While the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has impacted the maritime sector in a big way, it has certainly increased the adoption of technology- based solutions at the ports.”
Captain S. Ravi Chander, Unit Head and Vice President, Jaigarh Port, JSW Infrastructure Limited
“With respect to last-mile automation, there is a huge difference in technology adoption across different levels. While highly intelligent systems have been deployed in data centres, last-mile processes are still dependent on anumber of manual tasks.”
Prasad Patil, Chief Technology Officer, JM Baxi Technology Businesses