The concept of ‘smart ports’ is based on transforming sea transport and logistics by applying digital technology. It must be noted that this is a tool to facilitate a global change. Smart Ports must, in addition to intelligent and connected, be more sustainable, efficient and socially responsible ports. It is a long-term transformation strategy that will impact all areas of sea transport and bring technology like automation, driverless vehicles, Blockchain and the Internet of Things to port operations. By gradually adopting these innovations, ports will be able to offer non-stop service, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, faster and more efficiently.

Technology like big data, automation and artificial intelligence, as well as new values such as transparency and collaboration, are driving profound changes in all areas of the economy. In this context, the notion of the Smart Port has been created to provide a more open and efficient model for port and logistics processes in line with these values.

The Smart Ports: Piers of the Future is an annual congress linked with the Smart City Expo World Congress, the main international summit on smart cities and urban solutions. For the first time in 2019, six leading ports in the world, Antwerp, Barcelona, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Montreal and Rotterdam, got together to link both concepts: Smart Cities and Smart Ports. In 2020, the Busan Port Authority joined the cause as one of the leading ports in Asia.

It is a congress on innovation, sustainability and digital transformation. Some of the most innovative ports of the world share their innovative projects on Drones, Digital Twins, Green Smart Ports and Smart Port Cities among many others, while painting a picture of how our future should be. More sustainable, efficient and connected.