Digitization of the maritime logistics chain

Specific case analysis of the international transport forum

Sharing information can reduce costs and delivery times and generate generalized improvements to increase resource efficiency. In the maritime logistics sector, the constant sharing of information has allowed us to see more deeply within the supply chain to improve processes. “The areas of application of digital technologies for the collection, exchange and analysis of information vary from administrative and transactional purposes to more technical and operational applications. The effective integration of data driven systems depends crucially on the quality of their implementation and on the fluid collaboration between stakeholders within the logistics chain “, reads the specific case analysis document of the ITF-OECD ‘Sharing information for efficient management of maritime logistics.’

The new technologies will transform the logistics processes. There are numerous logistic applications for innovations such as the highly sophisticated sensors for data collection, advanced tools for data analysis and advanced concepts such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain or artificial intelligence.

Challenges

Sharing information and exploiting potential are the main challenges. In addition, the way in which logistics adopts data-driven innovation by relying increasingly on digitalisation and systems integration can expose the entire chain to cybersecurity risks. Second, many emerging data networks are proprietary systems. This allows the possibility of future oligopolies of data dominated by a small number of private logistic chain integrators. Open standards could solve this problem, but the balance between private and open systems has yet to be defined.

Benefits

The report focuses on the integration of systems and the sharing of information among the main stakeholders in maritime logistics to collect efficiency gains in the supply chain. Ensuring interoperability between public and private systems for the exchange of logistics information is necessary for a fluid flow of information that allows interactions. Likewise, supporting the ports in the creation of coordination platforms and Ventanas Únicas will reduce the unpredictability for port operators, resulting in a more efficient use of public infrastructure. Similarly, providing a competitive environment for the maritime logistics chain could potentially concentrate market power, so governments should closely monitor technological developments for implications on competition, seeking to maintain a healthy balance between innovation and competition. , for example, by supporting open standards in logistics.

Closely monitoring vulnerabilities in cybersecurity in maritime logistics would ensure that vertically integrated logistics operations are resistant to such attacks and have systems that limit the effects throughout the system in the event of an incident.

recommendations

The lack of industry-level standards for information sharing can act as a starting point to establish certain common platforms for collaboration. Authorities should support the creation of open standards in maritime logistics to develop a configuration that is useful for all actors involved in the supply chain. In this context, it is important to clarify what should be standardized and if standardization should be public or industrial and how the implementation standards will be organized.

Daniel Bosch Wood

Maritimist Lawyer

LLM Southampton

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria