Enabling trade through the world’s container terminals
Ports are the primary engine of the global economy, linking trading blocks and industries’ global supply chains to their consumers worldwide. As the marketplace becomes more complex, competition between ports is intensifying. ABB’s automation and smart systems for container and bulk cargo handling make terminal operations more efficient, reliable and safe.
Web Story
4min
2025-09-17
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Ports are vital to global trade, some of them turning around millions of tons of freight daily.02
With growing shipping volumes and larger vessels, port operators face rising challenges including congestion, infrastructure upkeep, safety, cybersecurity, and environmental impact.03
ABB’s solutions—spanning automation, AI, electrification, and shore power—help ports worldwide boost productivity, safety, and resilience for the future.The making of a high performing port
The world’s highest performing port systems turn around millions of tons of freight daily. With this throughput requirement, there is little margin for downtime or error. To remain at the top of their game, these advanced container ports are driven by maritime logistics services with automated or semi-automated cargo handling equipment and solutions.
Challenges facing the port operation sector
With the global economy and corresponding trade volumes predicted to increase exponentially over the coming decade, port operators need to organize today to ensure seamless transfer of growing shipping volumes. To stay in the game, port managers need to address these key challenges and risks:
Port congestion
Bigger ships means bigger port calls. Container terminals must find ways to not only discharge and load but also store larger amounts of cargo to avoid delays and congestion.Technological upkeep
As technology moves at a progressively faster pace, the update cycle has become much shorter and terminals must ensure capability to manage continuous change.Safety and security
The safety challenges in ports are multifaceted, involving a range of risks from accidents involving personnel and equipment as well as cargo loss and damage.Cybersecurity
Digitalization along the maritime supply chain underlines the need to focus on cybersecurity to safeguard the integrity and availability of critical data, secure operations and to protect maritime infrastructure.Environmental impacts
Environmental conditions, include pollutants, water contamination and noise that impair port activities and surrounding societies, as well as the health of the workforce.Ports - supporting the world in motion
In this episode of The Process Automation Podcast from ABB, host Fran Scott discovers how port automation is redefining global trade, in dialogue with Clara Holmgren, Global Business Line Manager for Ports at ABB, Andy Lewis, Head of Operations, Engineering and Automation at Hutchison Ports Stockholm, and Christian Blauert, Global Director Port and Terminal from Moffatt & Nichols.
Adding value to port operations – ABB solutions
ABB supports leading port operators worldwide to respond to emerging business challenges as it features in all steps inside a modern terminal.
AI & digital transformation
ABB is advancing AI solutions for ports by leveraging decades of automation expertise to enhance productivity, safety, and flexibility in container terminal operations. Through applications such as object recognition, sensor fusion, and machine learning, AI is directly integrated into crane automation systems to improve efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and enable more autonomous functionality while maintaining safety as a top priority.
ABB advances AI solutions enhance productivity, safety, and flexibility in container terminal operations
Terminal electrification
ABB offers comprehensive terminal electrification solutions that cover the entire process from system design to turnkey project execution, ensuring reliable and cost-efficient infrastructure for container terminals. Our offerings include grid connection, power distribution systems, crane and gate electrification, lighting, SCADA monitoring, and overall power management for optimized performance and energy efficiency. The shift to electrically powered equipment supports a safer working environment, minimized environmental impact, and more sustainable terminal operations. A reliable/resilient power infrastructure is also a pre-requisite to manage shore power allowing berthed ships to draw electricity directly from the onshore grid instead of running onboard engines. ABB’s solutions help ports and vessels cut emissions, noise, and vibrations, improving comfort for both employees and nearby communities.
Case studies from around the world
USA
Transforming operations by embracing OCR technology - Packer Avenue Marine Terminal
The Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in Philadelphia, USA, has leveraged our innovative technology to enable a remarkable transformation and growth over the past decade. Our gate automation and crane OCR solutions have enhanced productivity, safety, and overall performance leading to capacity expansion
India
ABB technologies help 100% productivity increase for India’s first fully automated container terminal
In India, ABB worked with the Adani Vizhinjam International Seaport, to deliver the sub-continent’s first automated container terminal. ABB provided all automation for all quay and yard cranes, that are operated remotely from a control center in the port office.
Germany
Transforming Hamburg’s oldest terminal to excel in the digital age
HHLA Container Terminal Burchardkai, Hamburg’s largest and oldest container terminal, worked with ABB to transform this legacy operation into a modern, high-capacity operation on the existing site. Latest technologies, workflows and infrastructure were built for the upgraded operation, alongside the operating port.
Sweden
Future-proofing a small terminal with automation to rival larger ports
Sweden’s Hutchison Ports in Stockholm Norvik port is smaller than many of its counterparts. But with its recent upgrade in partnership with ABB, its new capacity and productivity levels rival the capacity of bigger container ports. ABB installed two of the world’s biggest quay cranes with automation and remote operation from a central control office.
Brazil
Automated data capture for accurate container logging, tracking and forwarding
Tecon Rio Grande worked with ABB to leverage optical character recognition (OCR) technology to improve profitability, with a platform that ensures that containers are tracked and forwarded to the right destination. The technologies include ABB’s advanced AI imaging technology and ABB MatchMaker™ platform.
Working together to outrun leaner and cleaner
From advanced crane systems to sustainable power solutions, ABB equips ports to handle growing global trade while increasing productivity, efficiency, safety and reducing environmental impacts. By partnering with operators worldwide, we enable ports to remain resilient, competitive, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s supply chains, thus making them outperform.
Sources:
- Port Resilience in the Face of Climate Change; Flood Risk and Safety Measures; Erosion and Land Loss.
- Adapting to New Fuels and Technologies; Embracing Digital Technologies for Efficiency.
- 7 Key Challenge in Container Port Operations
- Embracing Digital Technologies for Efficiency
- Easing energy and environmental costs