C-Ports: a proposal for a comprehensive standardization and implementation plan of digital services offered by the "Port of the Future"

TL;DR

This paper proposes a comprehensive standardization plan for digital services in ports, categorizing key innovation services, and introduces a ranking system for port performance based on a new C-Port vector, with a case study on Livorno.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed standardization framework for port digital services and a novel port ranking method using the C-Port vector, addressing existing gaps in port performance assessment.

Findings

Standardized C-Port services grouped into four key bundles.

A new C-Port vector for port ranking is proposed.

Case study on Port of Livorno demonstrates evolution of the C-Port vector.

Abstract

In this paper we address the topic of a possible path to standardize the ICT services expected to be delivered by the so-called "Port of the Future". How the most relevant technologies and Information Systems are used by the Port Communities for their businesses is discussed together with a detailed analysis of the on-going actions carried on by Standard Setting Organizations. Considering the examples given by the C-ITS Platform and the C-Roads programme at EU level, a proposal of contents to be considered in a comprehensive standardization action is given. The innovation services are therefore grouped into four bundles: (i) Vessel \& Marine Navigation, (ii) e-Freight \& (Intermodal) Logistics, (iii) Passenger Transport, (iv) Environmental sustainability. The standardized version of these applications will be finally labeled as C-Port services. Alongside the standardization plan, a proposal for ranking the ports on the basis of a specially-defined C- Port vector is discussed with the purpose of addressing the well-known lack of consensus around the mathematical definition of the Smart Port Index. Considering the good practice and the background offered by the Port of Livorno in terms of innovation actions, the prospected final user applications are then labeled as Day 1, Day 1.5, and Day 2 services in consideration of the technical and commercial gaps to be filled. As a case study about the evolution in the C-Port vector experienced by the Port of Livorno in the last years will also be discussed.