Digitalizing the maritime supply chain: The case of Rotterdam’s port call operations

Abstract

Efficient and optimized port operations are required to keep up with the enormous pressure on the maritime supply chain caused by the rising demand for global goods. To achieve optimized and efficient port call operations, digitalization of the entire process is of the utmost importance. This case study thus analyzes the digitalization of port call operations in the maritime supply chain. We explain the port call operations, the inefficiencies of the traditional way the process is done and how digitalization can help reduce the inefficiencies. We then take the example of a port in Rotterdam, Netherlands and how they developed a platform called PortXchange and helped digitalize the port call operations, thus making the maritime supply chain resilient, efficient and fast. This case attempts to familiarize the readers with the dynamics of port operations, to assess the operational strategy taken by the Rotterdam port for developing the digital platform and to determine the competitive advantage it provides the users.