The Digital Voyage for Ports in Scotland

The objectives of this study are as follows:

1. Inform Scottish Enterprise on opportunities for digital developments in the port sector.
2. Gauge digital maturity for ports working in different cargo sectors.
3. Find common challenges to work together on.
4. Recommend initiatives and pathways to resolve gaps and capture opportunities.

This project delivers a first view of a common approach to boost smarter ports across the great diversity of maritime facilities in Scotland. This report is a first stage to set the direction for future studies, plans, and investments across the sector

Interviews and workshops with a range of nine representative port and harbour authorities and asset owners to assess the current and future role of digital technologies in Scottish ports, spread across the nation and key sectors of industry.

This study found that all participating ports exhibited digital maturity levels adequate or beyond sector expectations based on their relative size and cargo complexity. Nevertheless, gaps were detected and a proactive approach to improve digital maturity will add value to the maritime sector:

• Improve productivity and customer service in the supply chain.
• Increase port capacity and management for new energy transition services.
• Boost skills and innovation around Scotland, with digital ports supporting other sectors of the economy to get value from maritime innovation.

On the voyage to smarter ports and improved digital maturity, ports can take actions on an individual, collective, and national level, including:

1. Develop a digital strategy, defining both short-term actions and long-term, smart port ambitions.
2. Collectively ports should continue working together in the Digital Ports Working Group or Port Technology Forum
3. Look at the feasibility of a Scottish Maritime Innovation Hub, together with research institutes and government agencies.
4. Nationally, the following barriers can be addressed:
   • Fibre and cellular connectivity issues in port towns
   • Support innovation from the research/trial phase to commercialisation.