Splash247: MSC sees ports squeezing more from existing footprints

Published by Splash247

Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), the world’s largest containerline and a significant global terminal operator, sees the next generation of container terminals being defined less by physical expansion and more by automation, integrated data and the ability to handle greater volumes within existing port footprints, echoing comments made to Splash Ports last week by the head of the Port of Long Beach.

In a new technology paper, MSC argued that many terminals still suffer from fragmented IT systems and manual coordination between berth, yard and gate operations. As ships grow larger, more boxes arrive within increasingly concentrated port windows, intensifying pressure on berth productivity, yard capacity and cargo dwell times.

MSC sees automation as central to solving this problem. Automated stacking cranes can increase yard density, while automated guided vehicles move containers between quay and yard. Remote-controlled and automated quay cranes can simultaneously raise consistency and remove workers from hazardous operating areas.

Perhaps the most important implication for ports is that technology could allow terminals to increase throughput without acquiring more land or building significant new infrastructure. Advanced yard optimisation and automated equipment can extract greater capacity from existing terminals, while improved planning systems can reduce berth times and improve vessel schedule reliability.

MSC’s thoughts on this issue mirror what Dr Noel Hacegaba, the head of the Port of Long Beach, told Splash Ports last week. Hacegaba discussed his response to his port’s biggest physical constraint: a lack of available land. The Californian port cannot simply expand into the surrounding urban area, making denser terminal operations and stronger links with inland rail hubs essential.

MSC also envisaged much greater standardisation. Large terminal groups using common digital platforms across their portfolios would be able to benchmark performance more accurately and deliver more consistent operations between ports.

For shipping lines, the payoff would be predictability. Real-time cargo visibility, shorter dwell times and better coordination with road and rail connections could make reliable terminals significantly more attractive when carriers design their networks.

The transition will not be seamless. MSC highlighted legacy IT systems, investment requirements, workforce resistance and retraining as obstacles. Greater digitalisation will also expand terminals’ cybersecurity exposure.

MSC’s Terminal Investments Limited (TiL) is one of the world’s six largest container terminal operators and forms the core of MSC’s rapidly expanding global ports portfolio.