How IBM teams with Port of Rotterdam and Maersk on Internet of Things

The Port of Rotterdam Authority and IBM recently announced their collaboration on a multi-year digitization initiative to transform the port’s operational environment using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in the cloud to benefit the port and its stakeholders.

“The supply chain is an absolutely critical element to keeping businesses competitive and innovative, across multiple industries,” says Ronald Teijken, Business Partner Manager, IBM Watson Internet of Things, for Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.

In an exclusive interview with Logistics Management he says the work with the Port of Rotterdam and their intent to create a joint venture with Maersk both highlight IBM’s commitment to helping businesses transform their supply chains with the latest technologies, including IoT and blockchain.

“These two companies organizations demonstrate the significance of the ocean shipping industry – which is responsible for more than $4 trillion in goods annually,” he says.

Teijken says from the transportation of these goods between cities and countries, to the movement of products at ports, a transparent, quick, and efficient supply chain enables companies to track, locate and keep records of all products.

“With the planned joint venture, IBM and Maersk are applying blockchain to securely digitize, automate, and store critical paperwork that can reduce administrative costs and speed the transfer of goods in and out of ports,” he says.

At the Port of Rotterdam, IBM IoT technologies are helping to create “a digital twin of the port” in order to track ship movement, infrastructure, weather, geographical and water depth data – vastly improving their operations.

“With these insights, ship operators passing through the Port of Rotterdam can save up to $80,000 for every hour saved, concludes Teijken.