Ports are essential for the European economy; 74% of goods exported or
imported to the EU are transported via its seaports. At the same time,
the challenges they face are only getting greater: Volumes of cargo
increase while they also arrive in a shrinking number of vessels:
Post-Panamax vessels have a capacity of more than 18k containers. Port
operators need to comply with increasingly stricter environmental
regulations and societal views for sustainability. A sustainable
land-use strategy in and around the port and a strategic transition to
new, service-based, management models that improve capacity and
efficiency are paramount. They are key enablers for ports that want to
keep pace with the ocean carriers needs and establish themselves as
trans-shipment hubs with a ‘societal license to operate’; for ports
whose land strategy, hinterland accessibility and operations are
underpinned by circular economy principles. COREALIS proposes a
strategic, innovative framework, supported by disruptive technologies,
including IoT, data analytics, next generation traffic management and
5G,for modern ports to handle future capacity, traffic, efficiency and
environmental challenges. It respects their limitations regarding the
port land, intermodal infrastructure and terminal operation. It proposes
beyond state of the art innovations to increase efficiency and optimize
land-use, while being financially viable, respecting circular economy
and being of service to the city. Through COREALIS, the port will
minimize its environmental footprint to the city, it will decrease
disturbance to local population through a reduction in the congestion
around the port. It will be a pillar of business innovation, promoting
local startups in disruptive technologies of mutual interest. COREALIS
innovations are key both for the major deep sea European ports in view
of the new mega-vessel era, but also relevant for medium sized ports
with limited investment funds for infrastructure and automation.