Smart ports potential in the Pacific

The challenge: assessing the Pacific’s smart port potential

Maritime trade is an essential lifeline for the remote island nations of the Pacific. They rely almost entirely on imports for vital goods – including food, fuel, and medicine. As a result, many are working to develop their export economies as key drivers of growth.

However, existing trade infrastructure and processes are outdated, inefficient, and vulnerable to natural hazards and the effects of climate change. 
Modernising maritime trade with appropriate smart port features could help the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to address key risks, reduce the costs of goods and services, and drive economic growth.

Smart ports use technology and improved business processes to make the best use of space, time, money, and natural resources. This brings greater operational and energy efficiency, heightened safety and security, and improved environmental sustainability. 

Before being able to modernise their operations and implement smart port technology, the PICs needed to know how well the concept would fit the region. To determine smart port potential, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) asked us to conduct a study.

The solution: a digital maturity assessment across three ports

The study examined the practical applications of smart ports in the Pacific. Our team explored options to align international best practices with unique local features, such as relatively small trade volumes, geographic isolation, and vulnerability to extreme weather events. 

We conducted initial field visits to three representative ports to determine the current digital maturity and smart ports potential in the Pacific region:

• The Queen Salote International Wharf in the Kingdom of Tonga
• Honiara Port in Solomon Islands
• Port of Suva in the Republic of Fiji

Our team provided various services, including a desk-based literature review, a smart port health check, and a feasibility study. We identified opportunities to achieve short-term “wins” by implementing technology and business process solutions, and provided a strategic framework for developing more robust smart ports over time.

The framework can be used as a starting point by PICs that are a part of ADB to design smart port initiatives, and can be adjusted according to the specific needs of each port. We also proposed smart ports mission and vision statements to ensure alignment with the regional decision makers in the Pacific ports sector.

The result: a region-specific approach to smart port development

The smart ports concept is relatively new and one that has been more established in ports of more developed countries. At Royal HaskoningDHV, we combine extensive smart port experience with a global presence. 

As a result, we were able to support ADB in enhancing general awareness of emerging smart port technology, and encouraging ports in less-developed regions to explore the potential benefits by piloting new concepts.

Every port is unique and has specific characteristics posing distinctive challenges for its development. Therefore, it’s crucial to recognise that this study doesn’t promote a one-size-fits-all approach. The appropriate level of smart port maturity and sophistication needs to be designed according to the needs and scale of each port.