Port of Hamburg as digital networking pioneer

Underwater drones, autonomous trucks and paperless Customs clearance – the future is already buzzing in the Port of Hamburg. The ‘Digital Networking’ conference run by Port of Hamburg Marketing (HHM) showed just how far the port has progressed. “In respect of digitalization, the Port of Hamburg is a worldwide beacon offering many USPs,” emphasized Axel Mattern, HHM’s Joint CEO.

Release time : 2018-10-31 11:17:06

source : Hamburg Tourism Board

same extent,” said Bovermann.

Ulrich Wrage, CEO of the IT provider Dakosy that specializes in logistics, focussed his statements on digital culture in the Port of Hamburg. The port has now achieved a digitalization rate of 95 percent. Around 2000 companies are connected. The primary reason for attainment of this result is trust. To network procedures and speed up processes, competing operators, service providers and customers are giving insights into their data. “Dakosy’s secret is involvement of all players,” said Wrage. That also involves slipping into the role of facilitator. Among other changes, that has led to Customs paperwork increasingly becoming a thing of the past, and clearance already being digitally triggered as the container approaches Hamburg.

The Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center (HVCC) is one example of just how well networking between the variety of companies and institutions is functioning. Gerald Hirt, HVCC’s CEO, proudly recalls the last two years. Shipping companies, the Nautical Centre, competing terminals and - just recently - inland waterway shipping are profiting from this interface. Data from all those concerned, pilots, the Kiel Canal, Elbe Lateral Canal and from Rotterdam are constantly making vessel handling even smoother.

“Other ports are not waiting,” emphasized Saxe. In recent years the tempo of technological developments has constantly speeded up and is still accelerating. “Shippers are dictating the pace,” added Wrage. Global trading groups like Amazon or Alibaba “examine very precisely what a port a port can do, or cannot.”

Digital Hub Logistics Hamburg aims to provide further momentum for ‘Port 4.0’ or ‘Hafen 4.0’. This is the first port of call for the digital business transformation of the logistics industry on land, water and in the air. CEO Johannes Berg hopes that the next significant innovation in logistics -