IAPH and World Bank call for acceleration of maritime digitalisation

The World Bank and the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) released a joint paper that call for efforts to accelerate the digitalisation of the global maritime industry. The paper, which is entitled ‘Accelerating Digitalization: Critical Actions to Strengthen the Resilience of the Maritime Supply Chain,’ examines how collaborative use of digital technology can help streamline all aspects of maritime transport, from cross-border processes and documentation to communications between ship and shore, with a special focus on ports. It further explores a myriad of applied technologies by the world’s leading port and maritime communities, including big data, the internet of things (IoT), fifth-generation technology (5G), blockchain solutions, wearable devices, unmanned aircraft systems, and other smart technology-based methods to improve performance and economic competitiveness. ‘In many of our client countries, inefficiencies in the maritime sector result in delays and higher logistics costs, with an adverse impact on the entire economy. Digitisation gives us a unique chance to address this issue. Beyond immediate benefits to the maritime sector, digitalisation will help countries participate more fully in the global economy, and will lead to better development outcomes,’ noted World Bank Vice President for Infrastructure Makhtar Diop.