Enabling information sharing in a port

Abstract

Ports are integral parts of many supply chains and are as such a contributing factor to the overall efficiency of the supply chain. As the role of the ports is increasingly changing towards being more integrated into the supply chain, ports need to start focusing on optimising the activities and striving for low-lead time. Ports are also complex entities comprising of different companies. The dynamic nature of ports is also a problem when trying to optimise the utilisation of resources and ensure a low lead-time. Information sharing is crucial in the attempt to improve ports operations. This paper attempts to explain how information sharing is enabled in such an environment, and which considerations are relevant, both in regards to the information and required technology. The paper highlights trust, availability of data, and complexity of solutions and technology, as being the main hurdles. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2013.