How do you see the future role of ports as collaborative hubs?

We all remember 2021, when one massive ship, the Ever Given, got stuck in the Suez Canal. It took just six days and seven hours, but the whole world felt it: global supply chains were disrupted, reminding us how deeply we rely on sea logistics. As gateways to global trade, ports present both a significant risk and a major opportunity.

In today’s interconnected world, ports play a vital role in securing supply. For instance, 95% of Finland’s foreign trade flows through ports. Nearly one-third of imports are consumer goods – like food – directly tied to our everyday lives. While globalization has long enabled smooth material flows, current geopolitical tensions force us to rethink national and regional supply security. What happens if these flows are interrupted? How can local industries meet basic needs?

At Elomatic, we work across industries and follow closely as ports evolve into strategic ecosystems, and not only for trade and logistics, but also for defense. In NATO operations, for example, they serve as key transit points for land-based military equipment. Looking ahead, ports will continue to serve as strategic centers – for civilian logistics and for military operations alike.

Ports are a vital function of our eco-social societies. It is often stated that their purpose is to act as gateways of people and goods, but there is more to them. Ports are very important hubs of information and data, and their importance in this data-ecosystem of ours is ever increasing. The network of port operators and other companies around port areas have long ago formed a kind of data hub, with relevant information about the movement of people and goods circulating – much like pallets themselves – for decades, if not centuries.

As in any industry, data is becoming one of the key assets and value drivers for ecosystems, and ports are no exception. The abundance of data in a port environment is natural. Energy sector operators, border control authorities, and weather stations all handle and generate operations-critical data and information for our entire society, ensuring safety in daily life. Logistics companies make sure that trade and consumer goods are transported in a timely manner, keeping businesses running smoothly; travel companies, in turn, make it possible for us to enjoy the sea and what lies beyond.

There is an enormous amount of data produced and processed at ports – something we at our workplaces and homes sometimes take for granted. This complex ecosystem involves a wide variety of actors, all contributing to the seamless flow of goods, people, and information.

Future port ecosystems will serve as collaborative clean-energy hubs, uniting shipowners, logistics providers, energy companies, and cities. Increasingly, vessels must meet low- or zero-emission requirements when entering ports. This calls for innovative onboard solutions to design, install, and integrate equipment that enables compliance.

Vessels are more and more equipped with larger battery capacities, and the number of fully electric ships is growing worldwide as battery technology advances rapidly. Older vessels remain challenging, even with available “plug-and-play” systems. One quick solution is a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), enabling zero-emission operation. This typically requires an electrical system check and sometimes retrofitting new components, which also offers an opportunity to review automation and overall energy efficiency. Modular battery packages are essential to ensure maintenance and replacements do not extend port turnaround times.

Harbors need new interfaces for battery banks and storage to provide marine charging stations and land-based electrical connection points. This requires careful planning of port infrastructure and onboard systems, as locating connection points is not always straightforward.

Standards and dimensions still vary between vessels, creating a need for universal “fit-for-all” connections. While IEC standards exist, adoption is not yet consistent. Ultimately, achieving zero-emission electricity for all charging stations will be critical – ensuring ports become true enablers of clean maritime transport and guardians of marine nature.