Traxens Joins EU DataPorts Project

French supply chain data services company Traxens has joined the new European DataPorts project, aimed at creating a data platform for cognitive ports of the future.

DataPorts is an EU-funded, three-year project with a budget of $7.3 million (€6.7 million). It is coordinated by the Technological Institute of Informatics (ITI) in Spain.

According to a press release from the Container IoT company, today, only three per cent of container terminals are automated. However, the future of the industry points towards smart ports as the best way to overcome the challenges and demands that arise in the sector.

Challenges include optimizing port operations, enhancing the supply chain for operators and carriers, and reducing emissions and waste.

DataPorts will take advantage of the huge amount of data generated around modern connected sea ports and the high level of digitization these ports have so far achieved. Existing digital platforms and tools will be leveraged to establish an industrial data platform where data coming from different stakeholders and external sources can be combined and processed to achieve real value.

Today’s shippers and related stakeholders are optimizing their supply chains through digital transformation, where real-time data is key. The aim is to expose the smart assets value-added services via the DataPorts’ platforms market place, it said.

The availability of door-to-door visibility of the transport execution, with applied AI, and the use of blockchain technology will result in easier integration of reliable, trustworthy, private and secure data in different processes.

Information will potentially be shared with the whole of the supply chain (in respect of the data governance rules that protect their competitive advantages), offering greater visibility, real-time tracking, waste reduction, higher security and potentially faster border clearance.

According to the release, this European funded project will demonstrate the added value Traxens Smart assets services bring, on a global scale, to the whole ecosystem.

Historically, the maritime port infrastructure is relatively complex. A number of agents, including retailers, freight forwarders, carriers, consignees and port authorities, are all involved in port operations. Currently, these agents don’t always interact with each other, which leads to stagnant silos of information, meaning the full potential of data cannot be realized.

The DataPorts project aims to create a secure data platform that shares information, not only between port agents, but also with other ports. Only those with access permits and contracts can access data sharing and research new Artificial Intelligence and cognitive services.