The inaugural UK-NL Port Innovation Exchange took place in Liverpool on 17 January. Organised by Maritime UK (in association with Mersey Maritime) and the Netherlands Business Support Office, the Forum brought together Dutch and British decision makers to discuss requirements for creating a thriving port innovation culture.
Speaking at the event was Gina Acosta, Operations & Engineering Director for Peel Ports’ Container Division, who looked at the ways smart technology solutions are helping drive commercial success at the £400m Liverpool2 terminal.
A career in the maritime industry has been written into my future since university, graduating from the University of Antwerp with MSCs in Global Management, Maritime and Transport Management and Maritime and Transport Economics.
With my background in automation, optimisation and digital transformation, accepting a role at Peel Ports – which has a proven track record of investing in smart technology solutions – made sense, and offered an opportunity to nurture innovative greenfield projects from beginning through to full adoption.
As well as overseeing the day-to-day operational delivery, I also help implement Peel Ports’ growth strategy through operational excellence and the continuous introduction of state of the art port technology and infrastructure.
The launch of Liverpool2 – one of the world’s leading smart ports – is testament to the above. Operating at the cutting edge of the maritime industry, Liverpool2 is a state-of-the-art freight gateway capable of accommodating the world’s largest container vessels and connects road, rail and canal networks linking directly to the heart of the UK mainland.
The recent development of the Terminal Holding Area (THA) at Liverpool2 will support traffic management as the port continues to get busier as the year progresses, with new contracts and cargoes continuing to be rerouted north.
The THA will be actioned during heavy traffic, using sophisticated management systems to call forward waiting vehicles by displaying registration plates on a large screen, reducing waiting times by effectively managing the flow of traffic. This is just one example of Liverpool2’s smart port capabilities designed to meet the future needs of our supply chain.
Foreseeing future requirements and responding with the early adoption of new technologies is something that will become part and parcel of the world’s most successful smart ports. We must continue to invest in built infrastructure, people and processes, but also champion a culture of innovation so that when it comes to the adoption of smart technology, Peel Ports is a global leader.
Source: Peel Ports