Port automation has long been seen as the domain of mega-hubs with deep pockets and deep stacks of cranes. But what if collaboration—not scale—is the real unlock?
In the ninth installment of his For the Beauty of Logistics series, Monument’s Dr. Paul Kent explores how three mid-sized ports collaborate on a shared Remote Operations Center (ROC). Through modular retrofits, shared digital infrastructure, and realistic growth projections, he illustrates how even smaller terminals can achieve first-year payback and generate strong long-term returns.
Beyond the financials, the paper highlights important governance and design considerations:
- Shared infrastructure with transparent revenue and cost allocation
- Procurement strategies to prevent vendor monopolies
- Flexible membership terms that allow scaling across multiple ports
- Strong service-level agreements (SLAs) and upgrade paths
This isn’t a substitute for rigorous due diligence—but it is a valuable early-stage analysis that shows whether more in-depth evaluation is warranted. For port authorities, operators, and PPP stakeholders, the message is clear: smart automation may not require large budgets—just a smart framework for cooperation.
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