NextPort.AI proposes the concept of Data Backbone as a basis for automation and artificial intelligence in terminals | El Estrecho Digital
Publish Date: 2026-06-09 09:24:00
Source Domain: www.elestrechodigital.com
- Focus on Data Backbone: Both the Container Terminal Automation Conference (CTAC) and the Terminal Operations Conference (TOC Europe) emphasized the importance of data as the backbone for enabling automation and artificial intelligence in container terminal operations.
- Fragmented Data Systems: A recurring issue highlighted is the fragmentation of data across various systems in container terminals, which hinders effective automation and AI deployment.
- Collective Call for Data Harmonization: Representatives from industry leaders like CMA CGM, APM Terminals, ATAI, and EuroGate, alongside technology providers such as Navis-Kaleris, expressed the need for standardized data integration and interoperability to advance process automation.
- Strategies for Data Utilization: Presentations demonstrated various strategies, including asset digitalization by APM Terminals and leveraging big data by CMA CGM, to utilize data for operational optimization and to create connected, harmonized data systems.
- Challenges and Solutions Proposed: Discussions at the conference included developing a unified data backbone through frameworks like TIC4.0 and ISA-95 to eliminate the fragmentation that inhibits automation, with a particular focus on creating a digital twin to integrate data from operations and maintenance.
- Importance of Data Backbone: The consensus from conferences in Valencia and Hamburg is that a harmonized and integrated data backbone is crucial for achieving intelligent automation and comprehensive use of artificial intelligence in terminal operations.
