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Digitisation and the growth of the global economy have caused the need for the networks that businesses and global supply chains conduct their business to be secure. Major companies and service providers such as IBM and Vodafone are initiating joint-ventures to test and develop a 5G ecosystem which is likely to be potential for automated operations and artificial intelligence. While there are plenty of worldwide implications of 5G technology, its applications to the ports and terminals sector could be ground breaking. There is a need to connect a port’s assets, machines and people to systems, which also leads to increasing the safety and efficiency of cargo-handling operations. The ability of 5G to “transmit data safely within milliseconds”, thereby improving operations efficiency, is already being trialled as part of the Wireless for Verticals (WIVE) research project, one of many initiatives demonstrating the technology’s value as a catalyst for improved performance. Faster and Smarter Networks Focusing on the speed of 5G makes sense for the logistics sectors as they lead to shorter network response times. The flexibility of this network allows for future bandwidth heavy tasks to be done quicker in the future. It is also useful for prediction capabilities, security and reliability, and positioning the technology as a crucial foundation for the development of machine learning tools. It helps in reducing costs and the consumption of energy. Something that we have all been looking forward to. Revolutionising Ports Forecasting the revolutionary potential of 5G, Kalmar’s Director of Automation Research Pekka Yli-Paunu has predicted that “advances in connectivity give us the opportunity to develop the next generation of remote control that may utilise not only video, but audio and haptics as well”. Major ports have also been conducting their own 5G trials and testing its capability to drive advancements in other areas while allowing efficient operations. The Port of Hamburg have already called this a success. They also have isolated it as an area that will have an impact on operations, by laying the foundation for new IoT applications and business models that would also boost competitiveness in the entire port industry. Unlocking the Potential There is a lot of potential in the sector. Many industrial and technology companies are connecting to form an access point to 5G for businesses in all sectors. They have been able to enable the development of a connected ecosystem as well as understand the applications and savings made possible by mission-critical wireless technologies. Based on the sound situational awareness of container handling, warehouse logistics, and port security which machine-to-machine and machine-to-person connectivity offers, operations can be improved across multiple areas, from safety and efficiency to environmental performance and cost-effectiveness. The extent of 5G’s potential impact on ports and terminals is still uncertain, but because operators and service providers have been searching for smarter solutions, and ways to leverage automated technologies, the keyword for the future is definitely connectivity . Source: Port Technology