‍The Role of Small Terminals in Global Trade

"Small-scale container terminal operators play a pivotal role in the international supply chain, facilitating the seamless transit of goods across continents. Yet, they often encounter challenges that impede their operational effectiveness and competitive edge. Let us explore how these challenges in-depth and examines the potential of technological advancements to address these issues."

‍

Challenge 1: Limited Infrastructure and Space Constraints

Small terminals generally operate in constrained places and with less infrastructure than bigger versions. According to the Journal of Commerce, tiny terminals use 70% of the area and capacity of bigger terminals.

The Solution: Digital twin technology has the potential to be a game changer in this situation. Operators can increase operational efficiency by building a virtual duplicate of the terminal to optimize space use and infrastructure deployment.

‍

Challenge 2: Financial Constraints in Upgrading Facilities

According to the American Association of Port Authorities, small ports require an annual expenditure of around $4 billion to update infrastructure, which is a large amount for smaller operators.

The Solution: Cloud-based solutions and Software as a Service (SaaS) models assist in reducing the initial cost of adopting technology. They enable access to sophisticated terminal operating systems (TOS) without requiring large upfront costs.

‍

Challenge 3: Competition with Larger Terminals

The World Shipping Council estimates that the top ten worldwide container ports, primarily major terminals, will handle around 152 million TEUs in 2021, indicating competitive pressure on smaller terminals.

The Solution: Implementing customer portal, EDI gateway and vehicle booking systems for improved transaction transparency and trust will help small terminals gain more business by providing secure and efficient services.

‍

Challenge 4: Compliance with Environmental Regulations

Environmental restrictions imposed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) incur a large compliance cost, which might be higher for small terminals due to their restricted scale.

The Solution: IoT (Internet of Things) sensors and AI-driven analytics can monitor and optimize energy use, allowing tiny terminals to fulfil environmental criteria more cost-effectively.

‍

Challenge 5: Operational Efficiency and Cargo Handling

Because of inefficient operations, small terminals frequently have lower handling rates. According to data from the Journal of Commerce, tiny terminals have a 25% lower handling rate than bigger ones.

The Solution: Lean teams enabled by technology for operations with mobile applications for field team will improve the efficiency and reduce the operating costs.

‍

Challenge 6: Labor Management and Skill Shortages

According to the International Labour Organisation, there is a marine sector skill gap that requires an additional 16,500 trained individuals per year to satisfy industry expectations.

The Solution: E-learning platforms and virtual reality (VR) for training can bridge the skill gap by providing terminal workers with accessible and thorough training.

‍

Leveraging Technology as an Evolution Catalyst

"Technology serves as both an enabler and a key catalyst in resolving core challenges faced by small container terminal operators. By embracing a spectrum of technological innovations, including digital twins, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, these operators can enhance their competitiveness, operational efficiency, and adherence to environmental standards. Such technological integration is crucial for securing their role in the global supply chain network. With the appropriate application of technology, the future of small container terminals is promising, equipping them to thrive amidst the complexities of international trade."