Profitable sustainability: How Cavotec sees the future of ports & maritime

Cavotec operates at the intersection of electrification, automation, and sustainability. How do you define success for Ports & Maritime in this decade?

Success for ports and shipping lines in this decade is about achieving measurable improvements in productivity, efficiency, and reliability, while

also strengthening safety and environmental performance. A successful port is one that can handle growing trade volumes with lower emissions, fewer manual interventions, and greater predictability in operations. This

means electrifying critical assets, automating repetitive and high-risk processes, and using data intelligently to optimise asset performance.

 Do you see AI becoming operationally decisive in ports, or is the real value still in electrification and hardware innovation?

In the next decade, I do believe we will see AI start generating real value in port settings. However, in most ports the real differentiator will remain electrification and hardware innovation. AI will serve a supporting role such as enabling predictive maintenance to maximise equipment uptime,

better route planning in the yard, or better object recognition, but reliable equipment and strong processes will still trump AI deployment.

It is also worth noting that AI cannot deliver value in isolation: the

foundation remains electrification and robust hardware systems that generate reliable data. Without electrified assets, standardised interfaces, and automated equipment, AI has little to optimise.

 How do you quantify sustainability returns for port operators beyond emissions reduction?

Projects improving port sustainability typically delivers a range of other benefits as well: this is what we like to call profitable sustainability. The exact benefits vary across projects.

A first example is crane electrification, which obviously reduces emissions. However, so many port cranes are electrified today because of the other benefits: improved asset utilisation, lower maintenance costs, enhanced safety, and increased operational uptime. Electrified and automated systems reduce wear and tear, minimise human error, and lower exposure to volatile fuel prices.

Another interesting example is automated vacuum mooring with our MoorMaster solution. MoorMaster is primarily seen as a productivity booster, but it also has a positive sustainability impact. Ports purchase MoorMaster to cut their mooring times, and increase quay crane productivity through better vessel stability. By shortening the turnaround of the vessels, the port increases its capacity, but the vessel also saves time which lets it cruise slower to the next port and save fuel.

Thirdly, I think it is worth pointing out that reducing emissions does not only mean a reduced carbon footprint. In 2007 California adopted the at-berth regulations which mandated shore power (or alternative means of compliance) for container and passenger ships. The main driver of these regulations was not the CO2: it was to eliminate NOx and other harmful particles increasing the incidence of cancer in nearby communities.

Which regions or ports are currently most aggressive in adopting clean port technologies?

Right now, the highest market activity is in Europe due to the FuelEU Maritime Regulation coming into force in 2030 and mandating shore power use.

However, we also see quickly growing shore power interest in other markets such as India where all 12 major ports are developing plans to deploy shore power, electric tugs, and other clean technologies.

At the same time, the financial benefits of adopting new clean technologies is resulting in interesting projects all across the world. For example, we are very happy to see Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority announcing a tender to procure automated vacuum mooring technology for APMT’s Gateway Terminals India.

What operational or cost benefits have customers experienced after adopting Cavotec solutions?

Our customers experience many and varied benefits from using our systems. For example, we just published a case study based on data collected by APM Terminals MedPort Tangier on their MoorMaster automated mooring system. They demonstrated that the system resulted in shorter mooring times as well as higher crane productivity due to improved vessel stability. This increases the port capacity and shortens the vessel turnarounds in

this Maersk hub terminal. Another example is customer testimonials that showed container terminal operators using our cable reels for crane electrification experienced better cable lifetime than with competing products.

Ports across Asia are accelerating automation—from automated mooring to smart electrical systems. What trends are you observing, and how is Cavotec positioned to support this shift?

In Asia, there are a few interesting trends. First, it is clear that significant investment is going into developing new port infrastructure to increase capacity. These new ports and port expansions are driving CAPEX investments and filling the order books of crane makers and other OEMs.Secondly, it is very exciting to see how much interest there is in new technology. We just sold shore power systems for a new port in the Maldives, and we are eagerly following several automated moorings, e-vessel charging, and shore power projects across the region. There are many actors in Asia charging ahead of regulation and investing in the newest, most efficient, and cleanest technology because they want to and not just because they have to. At Cavotec we have been the innovator behind many of the clean port technologies that are now gaining traction across the world: shore power, e-vessel charging, and automated mooring. During our 50-year history, we have also been a long-term partner to ports across Asia selling crane electrification solutions, and supporting our customers throughout the product lifecycle. We really see that ports in Asia are appreciating the experience we bring to bear as well as the trust built up over many years.

What are the key challenges ports face when transitioning from conventional to automated or electrified systems?

The key challenges lie in integrating new technologies with legacy infrastructure, ensuring the workforce has the right skills, and securing long-term reliability.

This is why it is important for ports to engage trusted suppliers early and work with proven, field-tested technologies, reducing risk and enabling scalable, future-ready solutions.