How much of a vessel's performance is decided before it leaves the berth?

Today’s special edition on port stories takes a closer look at the port, where digitalisation is changing decisions that directly affect ships, cargo and operations. As ports adopt smarter systems, the opportunity is not simply to digitise existing processes, but to give shipowners better information when it matters.

The real test of port technology is simple: can it help the people running ships make better decisions, faster?

— Arnel Murga

Can shipping get AI right before it gets the data right? Dorian LPG IT Director Panagiotis Gkotsis says better data quality, clear ownership and measurable goals must come before meaningful AI adoption. He shares what almost two decades in maritime IT have taught him about making digitalisation work in practice.

How much are shipowners really spending on each port call? HarborLab says disbursement accounts still rely heavily on Excel and email, but better port data could reveal where costs are leaking and where commercial teams can act.

What should a port do when a distressed ship needs refuge? TT Club argues that refusing or accepting a vessel without a structured risk assessment can create new hazards, with the safest response sometimes lying outside the berth.

Can ports make vessel service coordination almost instant? ADNOC L&S says its AI-powered Smart Port has cut sourcing time from three hours to 45 seconds across five petroleum ports, while jetty utilisation has risen by 20%.

Can terminals handle mega-ships without better coordination? MSC says larger vessels are putting more cargo through the same port windows, making TOS, IoT, automation and AI increasingly important to berth and yard performance.

What happens when port digitalisation creates new security risks? India is putting e-Samudra, the Maritime Single Window and stronger cyber controls into its smart port strategy as authorities prepare for attacks on critical digital infrastructure.