Conference Schedule

The Inland River Ports and Terminals Association (IRPT) will hold its Gulf Coast Basin Meeting in hte South Shore Resort Auditorium from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. IRPT’s Basin Meetings bring together regional stakeholders to discuss challenges, formulate innovative solutions, and
build connections. https://www.irpt.net/irpt-basin-meetings/; or https://www.irpt.net/irpt-basin-meetings/

ODG Grant Solutions will host a Port Grants Workshop with invited speakers from FEMA, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This year, (insert name of sponsor) hosts a “Meet the Ports” social, an opportunity for conference participants to meet with attending port representatives with a relaxed and informal atmosphere at the outset of this year’s symposium. Cash bar and hors d’oeuvres are offered. A map of port table locations throughout the conference area will be provided at registration.

The Conference Director provides short administrative announcements and schedule updates prior to the start of the symposium.

Presidential Executive Order 14629 aims to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry by establishing maritime prosperity zones, enhancing national security, and promoting economic growth. The order proposed the creation of maritime prosperity zones modeled after the opportunity zones established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. These zones will be geographically diverse, extending beyond traditional coastal shipbuilding areas to include river regions and the Great Lakes. The establishment of maritime prosperity zones is expected to enhance economic activity in the maritime sector, create jobs, and strengthen national security by ensuring a robust domestic shipbuilding capability. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to revitalize American manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign entities for critical maritime services and products.

The Port of the Future Conference is pleased to host our invited guest, Stephen P. Carmel, Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration, as our featured keynote speaker.

Over the past three decades, the global port sector has been reshaped by globalization, containerization, shipping industry consolidation, technological change, and growing environmental and social expectations. This presentation examines how ports have evolved from largely public infrastructure assets into more complex, market‑facing nodes in global supply chains. Building on the three successive editions of the World Bank Port Reform Toolkit, the presentation starts out with a quick overview of how port governance models, private sector participation, labor relations, digitalization, and sustainability priorities have changed.
Looking ahead, the presentation then looks into port reform for the ports of the future. Next‑generation port reform is no longer primarily about privatization or capacity expansion, but about resilience, adaptability, and system integration, in an increasingly volatile trade and shipping market context. Future‑ready ports will also need to balance efficiency with social license and deploy digital technologies while managing cyber risks. The presentation concludes by outlining key policy choices facing governments and port authorities as they navigate an era of uncertainty, technological acceleration, and changing expectations around environmental, social, and governance performance.

Greg Trauthwein, President of New Wave Media, will facilitate a Port Leaders Roundtable, an opportunity for leading port officials to discuss their vision of their ports’ future, challenges, and opportunities.

The Blue Sky Maritime Coalition will host a luncheon meeting for its members in the Pier Room. The luncheon is free to members registered to attend the conference. Those who are not registered to attend must pay for their meal in advance thru Meg O’Leary.

The Port of the Future Conference will host a “Meet the Author & Book Signing Event” in the Cyrstal Ballroom of the South Shore Harbour Resort. This event highlights recent publication of “Blue Bharat: India’s Voyage to Resilient Ocean Economy,” by Captain Gajanan Karanjikar.
“Blue Bharat” is a roadmap for India’s growth story, focusing on the ocean’s central role. The book outlines strategies to create jobs, reduce emissions, and build resilience while maintaining ocean health.
The book is a call for India to embrace its maritime destiny, becoming a resilient ocean nation that balances prosperity, ecology, and equity for generations to come. It is a call for India to embrace its maritime destiny, becoming a resilient ocean nation that balances prosperity, ecology, and equity for generations to come.
Books are available through Amazon.

(insert name of sponsor) will host a Networking Reception, a relaxed, informal social event designed to facilitate introductions among conference participants and to provide them the opportunity to visit sponsors and exhibitors displays. Country Western Recording Artists, Bill Mock and Karl Fraitz will provide musical entertainment. Free drinks and hors d’oeuvres are offered to those in attendance.

The WGMA, sponsor of the annual Port of the Future Conference Student Research Poster Contest, will conduct an awards ceremony for winners of various categories and notable submissions. The Award Ceremony will be held at 6:00 pm in the Mariner Ballroom.
While open to family and friends, non-conference attendees must sign in at the Registration Desk prior to the ceremony.

Heavy-duty commercial drones are specialized unmanned aerial vehicles designed to carry substantial payloads, ranging from 10 pounds to over 500 pounds, making them essential for various industries such as logistics, construction, and agriculture.
Future heavy-duty commercial drones may rival truck and rail in inter-modal connectivity from ports. The Griff 800 is capable of carrying a max payload of 1,763 pounds. JD.com (China) is constructing a super-sized delivery drone capable of carrying a payload of over 1 ton up to 186 miles.

The concept of a “drone zone” isn’t a no-fly area, but a network of integrated infrastructure that propels a community forward. Imagine a region where the sky is not just for birds and airplanes, but a seamlessly managed, automated highway for a new kind of service. This is the narrative of value that drone zones—strategically placed networks of drone docks—bring to a region.
This panel discussion focuses on the process and challenges to creation of a regional drone zone in SE Texas, home to U.S. strategic ports of Beaumont and Port Arthur in addition to the Port of Orange and Port of Sabine Pass.

In critical defense, public safety, and industrial operations, the 45-minute battery limit of conventional drones is the single biggest constraint on success. This panel discussion explores the transformative impact of Tethered Unmanned Aerial Systems (TeUAS). This session will detail how connecting an aerial platform to a ground power source delivers true operational superiority. It
highlights advances which turn the aerial platform into a true, persistent tactical asset for force protection, communication relay, and Counter-UAS missions.
• Unlimited Time on Station: How tethered systems provide proven 100+ hours of continuous flight, transforming intermittent surveillance into persistent overwatch.
• Heavy Lift, Zero Compromise: Integrating multiple, heavy payloads—from high-resolution EO/IR cameras and high-intensity illumination to vital Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) radio relays.
• Secure and Silent: Leveraging the fiber-optic tether for RF-silent operation and a robust, secure data link.

Increasingly, ports employ the use of subsurface drones in ports to enhances security and operational efficiency by:
– Enhancing Threat Detection: Drones can automatically detect passing vessels and provide data to AI systems for threat assessment, improving port security;
– Conducting Real-Time Surveillance: Drones can cover large areas quickly, identifying potential security breaches and providing real-time situational awareness;
– Cost-Effective Solutions: Drones can reduce the need for human surveillance, leading to cost savings for port operations;
– Integration with AI: The integration of AI algorithms allows for swift identification of potential threats, streamlining security operations; and
– Integration with AI: The integration of AI algorithms allows for swift identification of potential threats, streamlining security operations.
These advancements demonstrate the growing importance of drones in modern port security and operations.

Ports must be able to identify, track, analyze/classify, assess risk, and respond to drones. Common drone countermeasures include RF jamming, GPS spoofing and net or kinetic interceptors. These are deployed after camera-based visual confirmation to reduce false positives and help ensure effective mitigation.
A robust counter-UAV system combines radar or RF detectors for early threat ID, PTZ cameras for tracking and thermal sensors for low-light operation. Mitigation tools, such as jammers or interceptors, and unified software help ensure a rapid, coordinated response.

Synopsis: The Port of Duqm is set to undergo a significant expansion, with Investcorp Aberdeen Infrastructure Partners leading a $550 million project. This investment aims to enhance the port’s capacity and support an industrial area within the Duqm Special Economic Zone. The project will involve marine infrastructure development, dredging, and the construction of a new quay wall, which will service a low-carbon industrial plant. This facility is expected to produce low CO₂ iron metallics and eventually hydrogen-powered “green steel,” aligning with Oman’s net-zero ambitions. The initiative is part of Oman’s Vision 2040 and the country’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure development. The port’s expansion is expected to catalyze industrial growth in Duqm and position the Sultanate of Oman as a regional leader in sustainable logistics and green industry.

Synopsis: The Louisiana International Terminal project is a significant public-private investment of $1.8 billion, with construction expected to begin in 2025 and an anticipated opening in 2028. This project aims to enhance the supply chain for container shipments on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, potentially creating over 17,000 new jobs statewide by 2050. The terminal will be located in Violet, Louisiana, and will serve vessels of all sizes, dramatically increasing Louisiana’s import and export capacity. The project is designed to leverage extensive transportation connectivity, including interstate systems and railroads, to facilitate efficient logistics. The terminal is expected to handle between 180,000 to 280,000 containers in its first year of operation. Additionally, the project incorporates sustainability measures and community input into its design.

AWAITING CONFIRMATION

Synopsis: The Chula Vista Bayfront represents one of the most ambitious waterfront transformation efforts in the United States. Spanning more than 500 acres and supported by over $1.5 billion in public and private investment, the program is transforming a former industrial waterfront into a world-class destination through a decades-long partnership led by the Port of San Diego. What was once home to aging industrial uses and the South Bay Power Plant is evolving into a vibrant waterfront anchored by the Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center, award-winning public parks, regional recreation destinations, future mixed-use development, restored public access, and critical infrastructure investments that will serve generations to come.

This session will explore the leadership, partnerships, permitting, and infrastructure strategies that made the transformation possible, including complex coastal and environmental entitlements, multi-agency coordination, public-private partnership delivery, habitat stewardship, major roadway and utility improvements, and long-term implementation across multiple phases. As ports around the world seek to strengthen their connection to surrounding communities while preserving long-term economic vitality, the Chula Vista Bayfront offers a compelling blueprint for shaping the next generation waterfront.

The State of Tennessee is developing the Ashland City River Port, a $30 million multimodal, multi-commodity inland river port on a 40-acre site at mile marker 162 on the Cumberland River in Ashland City, Cheatham County. The project is a public-private partnership between the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Cheatham County, and Ingram Marine Group, a Nashville-based barge carrier.

The Ashland City River Port is a strategic inland river facility that will integrate river barge transport with road and rail networks, offering a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to trucking while boosting regional trade and employment. The port will serve as a hub for multi-modal freight, combining river barge, truck and rail transport.

Synopsis: Port Freeport has been awarded an $11 million Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) FY 2025 grant through the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to support critical infrastructure improvements at its Velasco Terminal, enhancing cargo handling capabilities and operational efficiency.
The project will transform approximately 10 acres into a high-utility cargo handling area designed to improve efficiency, safety, and security. Planned improvements include upgrading the surface from stabilized limestone to heavy-duty concrete pavement, installing advanced stormwater drainage systems, and adding high-mast lighting to support terminal operations. The improvements will enhance operational performance at Velasco Terminal by increasing efficiency and supporting safe, reliable cargo handling.
The PIDP program provides federal funding for projects that improve the movement of goods through U.S. ports, supporting a more efficient and resilient national supply chain.

Synopsis: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s Port of Banana consists of one wharf of 75 m and depth 5.18 m, with two small cranes for cargo handling and a few small jetties. The port has an oil terminal 4 km further upriver, to which tankers discharge while at anchor in the creek. This terminal has road access separate from the main port east of Muanda. There is also a naval base of the Navy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is partly maintained with Chinese assistance.

In early 2022, a $1.2 billion construction project began to turn the port into the DRC’s first deep-water port. The work is being carried out by DP World, despite a lack of public tender, as part of its 30-year development and management contract. When completed, the port is expected to process over 300,000 containers per year.

Synopsis: Maritime nuclear energy — including nuclear-powered merchant ships and offshore nuclear facilities — offers a zero-carbon, high-energy-density alternative to fossil fuels, but it introduces unique safety, security, environmental, and regulatory risks that must be managed comprehensively.
Concerns remain that nuclear-powered merchant ships could pose risks to the marine environment in the event of accidents, such as collisions, machinery failure or damage, fire, or explosions. The current international regulatory framework for nuclear-powered merchant ships is insufficient to address these risks.
Insurance remains a wild card. Nuclear-power specific to ports introduce new risks—reactor financing, fuel handling, and end-of-life disposal—issues with which insurers are still struggling to address.

Synopsis: The U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) launched an initiative in May 2026, to develop Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMR) for commercial shipping. MARAD seeks to develop an SMR model to advance:
1) Efficiency: Deploying reliable, high-power energy to allow commercial ships to travel farther and faster;
2) Affordability: Small modular reactors that will largely eliminate fuel costs and reduce maintenance requirements;
3) Scalability: Identify streamlined deployment methods to integrate nuclear power across fleets and logistical networks;
4) Shipbuilding and Workforce: Integrate SMNR production into U.S. shipyards to build strong robust workforce pipelines and new credentialing standards; and
5) Regulatory Readiness: Establish liability, insurance, and inspection frameworks to ensure seamless port access before construction begins.

Synopsis: Lloyd’s “Navigating nuclear energy in maritime: Initial considerations for nuclear ships and offshore,” is a guidance document, compiled in partnership with North Standard and Global Nuclear Security Partners (GNSP), that outlines the growing need for reliable and compliant energy sources in maritime industries, particularly for commercial shipping and offshore operations. It introduces nuclear power as a viable solution and highlights the complex challenges involved in its integration, including regulatory, legal, and economic considerations.
The guidance aims to support engineering and product development efforts by offering a structured approach to deploying nuclear technologies in maritime environments.

Synopsis: In addition to powering ocean-going vessels, small, affordable, and commercially
insured, Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPPs) moored in ports can power port infrastructure, cold ironing of vessels, EV charging, hydrogen production, and water desalination, to name a few applications.
FNPPs have the smallest environmental footprint of any energy system and offer a unique opportunity for ports to leapfrog the energy transition to rue net zero.

Synopsis: The use of nuclear propulsion for commercial shipping is rapidly moving from concept to active development, with several major projects aiming to decarbonize long-haul maritime transport.
If successful, nuclear-powered commercial vessels could transform global shipping by enabling carbon-neutral long-haul transport. Early demonstrators and joint development agreements suggest that the first nuclear-powered container ships could enter service within a decade, though widespread deployment will depend on regulatory clarity, cost reduction, and public acceptance.
The panel discusses current projects (Hyundai, NuProShip II, China’s Vang Tau Express) and advances in vessel design, as well as construction obstacles and considerations faced by shipbuilders in this field.

Synopsis: The Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, signed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump, aims to streamline regulatory approvals for nuclear projects, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). By allowing mutual recognition of safety assessments, the pact could slash approval times from up to four years to around two. The US-UK nuclear pact isn’t just another energy agreement—it’s a potential game-changer for maritime decarbonisation, and the industry is taking notice. While the deal’s language remains aspirational and investments are still in the announcement phase, the ripple effects could reshape shipping’s energy landscape.

Synopsis: There is a critical need to engage in a coordinated approach to workforce development in the maritime nuclear sector.
Unlike other industries, the nuclear maritime sector demands a careful coordination of efforts across governments, industry players, and educational institutions to navigate the intricate regulatory landscape and stringent safety and security requirements. The maritime nuclear workforce is the “ultimate long lead item,” requiring years of specialized training and experience.
Deploying advanced nuclear technologies aboard ships, especially fourth-generation reactors, brings new operational complexities. Operators will require a profound and evolving knowledge of these systems, sometimes supported remotely by experts with deep reactor physics expertise.

With international trade and cross-border traffic increasing exponentially every year, ports and border checkpoints face unprecedented pressure to maintain security without slowing down operations.
Mobile cargo scanner solutions allow inspectors to quickly detect contraband, explosives, narcotics, and other threats without interrupting the flow of traffic.
Mobile vehicle scanning system technology supports field deployment, allowing inspections in temporary locations, high-traffic checkpoints, or remote areas.
The portability of these systems ensures that inspections can be conducted in multiple environments without compromising accuracy or safety.

The Port of New Orleans, the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, and UTC Transoceanic, have partnered in a technology-driven transformation in the movement of oversized industrial cargo in the U.S.
The initiative addresses a major bottleneck in global logistics: safely and efficiently moving extremely large and heavy equipment such as power transformers, wind turbine components, turbines, refinery vessels, and industrial generators through the rail network. Much of this cargo arrives by sea from overseas manufacturers and must be transported inland by rail because highways often cannot handle its size and weight.
The initiative deploys: patented AI-powered rail clearance technology; a real-time digital twin of the NOPB rail network and a TEID-RDC platform built on the Palantir Foundry platform to model rail constraints and simulate conditions.

Asset tracking technology refers to the method used to monitor and track the location, movement, and status of physical assets (e.g. cargo, vehicles, equipment), indoors and outdoors. It uses GPS, Bluetooth, LPWAN and other wireless tech to collect and provide accurate asset location data over a network.
Asset tracking boosts efficiency by showing where every item is in real time. New tech like GPS, RFID, and IoT makes tracking faster and more accurate. Add-on smart tech features can enhance security and provide temperature and humidity of cargo. Managing and protecting large amounts of tracking data is now essential. Smart planning helps balance setup costs with long-term business benefits.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles has formally adopted autonomous vehicle regulations that allow manufacturers to apply for permits to test and deploy heavy-duty autonomous vehicles on public roads. The rules remove a prohibition on operating vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, enabling testing and deployment of autonomous freight vehicles under a structured permitting process.
Port representatives and trucking representatives discuss the challenges of integrating heavy duty autonomous trucks in port and terminal operations.

Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) is a public-private partnership among industry and government to build a forward-looking, integrated view of supply chain conditions in the United States. FLOW data helps forecast how current capacity and throughput will fare against future demand, helping participating companies anticipate changes in supply chain throughput and take proactive step to mitigate previously unanticipated delays. The FLOW program collects purchase order information from importers in addition to logistics supply, demand, and throughput data from participants (e.g., beneficial cargo owners, ocean carriers, ports, terminals, railways). The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) anonymizes, regionally segments, and aggregates the data. Participants then receive FLOW data that provides a broad, daily view of the current conditions of the overall logistics network, beyond what they may observe within their own operations.

Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones are the Business Model and Investment Foundation. Port officials who clearly understand the challenges and opportunities presented in IIEZ can significantly increase their operational effectiveness and financial revenue. IIEZs may be centered around ports and include: Resilient Electrical Grids (Edge sensors, switches, digital transformers, inverters); Broadband for All (Fiber, 5G, 6G, 7G, WiFi, Public Safety); Intelligent Transportation (Lidars, Radars, cameras, DSRC); Data Exchanges (Processing, Security, Privacy); Edge Computing (Sensor processing, Spatial Computing, environmental sensors, RF monitoring); Terrestrial GPS (UltraWideband, DGNSS, DT); 21st-Century Data Economy; and more.

ABS Wavesight Advantage delivers a comprehensive suite of capabilities, including real-time validation, emissions
benchmarking, pooling and a simplified process of submitting data for statutory verification to ABS through a convenient digital
connection.

By leveraging AI and predictive analytics, the platform enables users to optimize compliance strategies, reduce operational risk, and
improve fleet-wide efficiency. This platform connects vessels, shore teams, and systems, providing actionable clarity through a single
source of validated emissions data—empowering maritime leaders to make smarter, faster decisions with confidence.

Speaker: Staci Satterwhite, CEO, ABS Wavesight
Speaker: Luke Rouquette, Senior Director, Commercial Digital Products; ABS Wavesight
Speaker: TBD, Port of TBD

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) launched its blockchain-secured Digital Seafarer Record Book (DSRB), marking a significant step in the continued digitalisation of maritime administration. The new platform replaces traditional paper-based documentation with a secure, fully digital and internationally interoperable system for recording and verifying sea service.
The Digital Seafarer Record Book introduces a modernised electronic method for creating, authenticating and maintaining sea service records. The platform incorporates authenticated digital discharge certificates and secure identity verification, enabling real-time, tamper-resistant sharing of seafarer credentials.
This reduces administrative burdens for seafarers, shipowners and maritime administrations, while enhancing accuracy, transparency and operational efficiency.

This technical session delivers a structural blueprint for evolving static 3D visual models into live, “operational” digital twins capable of dynamically maximizing crowded harbor and berth capacity.
We will break down the edge-native architecture required to integrate spatial datasets with real-time machine telemetry extracted directly from the intersection of legacy and modern port infrastructure.
Finally, we will demonstrate the state-machine logic needed to transform passive spatial rendering into an automated, hardware-verified framework for live logistical execution.

The U.S. Army and GreenSea IQ affirmed the value of robotic hull cleaners in addressing fouling caused by
marine growth such as barnacles, algae, and other organisms. By eliminating drag and buildup, these systems enhance
vessel performance and extend operational life.

The primary advantages include: Enhanced Fuel Efficiency; Increased Speed and Performance; Improved Maneuverability
and Handling; Reduced Engine Strain and Wear; Prevention of Hull Damage; Cost Savings and Longevity; and Enhanced
Operational Readiness

A single operator can use a robot to clean an Army LSV hull in roughly six hours, compared to the week required for a dive
team. This efficiency frees up the Army Dive Team and keeps LSVs mission-ready, redirecting resources toward critical
warfighting priorities.

Speaker: TBD, Title and Corporation
Speaker: TBD, Title and Corporation

Should ports agree on an optimal sustainable fuel for ships?
As carriers and alternate fuel providers continue in their arguments as to which sustainable fuels are best, the result has been a mess.
If major ports were to “agree on a sustainable fuel…we can gain great efficiencies and save untold billions.” “Even if one fuel is
somewhat less efficient or somewhat more expensive, once considered on an overall system level, it almost undoubtedly will be more
efficient if it is the single sustainable fuel. “…Let the Ports provide a clear course on sustainable fuels.”

Speaker: Rik F. Van Hemmen, Title and Corporation

In 2026, The Port of Long Beach has launched the Clean Fuel Bunkering Challenge, a first-of-its-kind $1 million incentive for the first oceangoing vessel to refuel with methanol on a commercial scale at its harbor. The initiative aims to:
– Jumpstart North American methanol bunkering and create a viable market for clean marine fuels;
– Offset the higher cost of methanol refueling compared to conventional bunker fuel.
– Encourage investment in cleaner shipping by demonstrating feasibility and market; and
– Support the port’s broader strategy to phase out emissions from all port-related activities and promote next-generation maritime fuels

This presentation introduces Elogrid™, a patented, tailor‑made tunnel thruster grid solution designed to improve vessel efficiency, maneuverability, and sustainability. Elogrid reduces fuel consumption, emissions, vibration, and noise while increasing thrust and operational performance throughout the vessel’s lifetime. The solution is maintenance‑free, cost‑effective, and validated through real‑world installations on a wide range of vessels, including cruise ships, RoPax vessels, and tankers.

For an industry defined by movement, mobility makes perfect sense. Mobile apps are no longer just convenient add-ons – they’re becoming essential tools in modern fleet management. They bridge the gap between ship and shore, between data and decision, and between planned operations and real-world conditions.
NAVTOR’s NavFleet mobile app is an extension of the company’s established, office-based fleet management platform, it gives users direct access to vessel data, route progress, and operational updates on their phones or tablets – effectively placing the entire fleet in the palm of their hand.
Users can define exactly which operational issues require attention and customize settings accordingly. Real-time notifications then ensure decision makers are informed instantly, allowing them to investigate, collaborate, and act before issues escalate.

The Migration and Relocation of Port Terminals have emerged as defining spatial transformations in the evolution of ports over the past few decades. Relocation refers to the complete transfer of operations from an existing terminal to a new site, with the original facility being closed once the move is finalized. Migration, by contrast, involves the addition of a new terminal site while the
existing facility continues to operate.
Migration and relocation can have far-reaching implications for governance, as existing port authorities may lack jurisdiction over newly developed sites. In such cases, institutional restructuring or the creation of new governance frameworks may be required to manage the expanded geography of port operations.
Although numerous factors drive port terminal migration – such as the pursuit of additional space, improved infrastructure, or access to deepwater facilities (see figure) – there remain several significant impediments that can hinder or slow down these spatial transformations.

For decades, draft surveys have been the industry standard for determining bulk material quantities loaded and unloaded through ports. However, advances in belt scale technology now offer ports, terminal operators, and cargo owners a more accurate, transparent, and operationally efficient alternative.
Drawing on over 30 years of global experience designing, implementing, and optimizing belt scale systems across mining, bulk commodities, and port operations, Alastair Boyd will explore how modern certified belt scales are transforming cargo measurement practices around the world.
This presentation will examine the limitations and risks associated with traditional draft surveys, compare them against modern belt scale solutions, and highlight real-world case studies where ports and operators have achieved improved accuracy, reduced disputes, enhanced operational visibility, and greater confidence in commercial transactions.

The nation’s busiest port complex has taken a decisive step toward eliminating emissions from maritime operations, with the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners voting unanimously to approve a binding agreement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District that establishes concrete deadlines for transitioning to zero-emissions infrastructure.
The cooperative agreement commits the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to developing comprehensive infrastructure plans in three phases, beginning with a draft plan in May 2027 and concluding with approved plans for all equipment categories by the end of 2029. The agreement will target emissions from cargo handling equipment, harbor craft, trucks, trains and ocean-going vessels across the ports complex.

Many ports treat ESG, IMO decarbonisation, and disclosure requirements as a regulatory burden. This presentation flips that perspective: what if the ports that embrace ESG most proactively actually attract the most cargo and capital?
We will explore how banks, cargo owners, and global shippers are quietly rewiring their supply chains around emissions profiles, social license, and governance transparency – and how ports can position themselves as the “low-risk, high-trust” node that cargo owners prefer.

A microgrid is a relatively small-scale localized energy network that features an effective integration of high penetration level of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as renewable energy resources, energy storage devices, and controllable loads.
Microgrids may be constructed as an underlying energy backbone, to provide a natural host and a technology hub to support the latest technology-intensive and information-centered economy models that the port entities are actively adopting as a part of the port modernization and electrification initiative.
The recent advancement of DERs and their dramatic cost declines have made microgrids both technically and economically feasible and viable.

Hanwha Ocean, one of the leading shipbuilders in South Korea, has awarded ABB the contract to supply a complete electric power and propulsion system for Singapore’s first floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. The contract is the latest milestone in the long-standing collaboration between ABB and Hanwha Ocean.
𝗦𝘂𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 has secured a domestic patent for a 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 capable of storing and delivering LNG, methanol, ammonia and hydrogen from a single vessel — a potential game-changer for ports, shipowners and future fuel ecosystems.
This patented design introduces 𝗱𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀, 𝘀𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, and 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗸𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 engineered to minimize sloshing, reduce boil-off and meet the sharply different storage and safety requirements of each fuel.

The PortXchange’s EmissionInsider platform is a leading digital innovation for port decarbonization. It offers ports full
visibility of transport-related emissions, from sea-going vessels to barges, trucks and rails, providing the granular insight needed to
reduce emissions at scale. Ports can consolidate multimodal emissions data into a single transparent view, replacing previously
fragmented and inconsistent reporting methods.

Already used by the Port of Rotterdam and Belfast Port, the platform enables data-driven decision-making, supports standardized
reporting, prioritizes decarbonization investments, and plans initiatives such as shore power. As ports prepare for tightening
emissions-reporting regulations and growing expectations for air-quality improvement, accurate, comparable data has become
essential.

Speaker: TBD, PortXchange
Speaker: TBD, TBD

Battery systems are a practical, scalable, and cost-effective way for ports to cut emissions, enhance energy security, improve operational efficiency, and meet regulatory and sustainability targets. Due to their diversity, versatility, and current application, batteries are likely to become more broadly applied on small to medium-sized vessels, and as enabling technology in hybrid applications and support functions. They are increasingly supported by pilot demonstrations and policy drivers, making them a strategic investment for modern port infrastructure.
Challenges for battery applications include integration in a ship’s energy system, battery safety, charging, decision support on feasible applications, and establishing viable renewables-based port energy communities that integrate services to and from battery systems on berthing ships.

PowerCon introduces its containerized shore power solution and demonstrates how a scalable design can maximize both ROI and long-term sustainability goals. Attendees will explore how modular shore power systems create flexibility for ports of all sizes and stages of electrification.

The igus Mobile Shore Power Outlet (iMSPO) is designed to overcome the infrastructure limitations and evolving operational challenges facing modern ports. Adjustable and built with the shipowner and the port and terminal in mind, iMSPO offers a flexible shorepower solutions for all key stakeholders.

The “Port of the Future” is no longer a concept; it is an active implementation, leveraging digital transformation, 5G, AI, and extensive Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to maximize efficiency and throughput. This hyper-connected environment, however, dramatically expands the attack surface. This presentation moves beyond theoretical threats to provide practical strategies for
achieving cyber resilience across all port operations.

For port authorities and terminal owner/ operators, security is often driven by regulatory requirements, but real-world disruptions don’t follow a checklist. From cyber incidents and supply chain disruptions to insider threats and operational breakdowns, today’s risk environment demands security programs that do more than meet minimum standards.
This is an operations-driven perspective on what it takes to move beyond compliance and build true resilience within maritime environments. Grounded in real-world application, this session highlights how operationally informed security planning, training, and exercises can uncover gaps, strengthen coordination, and reinforce risk-based decision making; ultimately positioning security as a core component of resilient port operations, not just a compliance function.

Accurate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) are essential to the maritime sector. Precision timing, primarily provided
through the Global Positioning System (GPS), is particularly important. However, GPS signals are low-power and unencrypted, making
them susceptible to both intentional and unintentional disruptions. Both China and Russia have developed layered, capable and
resilient backups to GPS. The U.S. failure to do so has become a national security threat.

This panel discussion focuses on a variety of possible options for ports and pilots – offering critical solutions/alternatives to help
protect, toughen or augment GPS to address national security, economy and public safety needs.

For port authorities and terminal owner/ operators, security is often driven by regulatory requirements, but real-world disruptions don’t follow a checklist. From cyber incidents and supply chain disruptions to insider threats and operational breakdowns, today’s risk environment demands security programs that do more than meet minimum standards.
This is an operations-driven perspective on what it takes to move beyond compliance and build true resilience within maritime environments. Grounded in real-world application, this session highlights how operationally informed security planning, training, and exercises can uncover gaps, strengthen coordination, and reinforce risk-based decision making; ultimately positioning security as a core component of resilient port operations, not just a compliance function.

Autonomous navigation trials and AI-assisted bridge systems are advancing faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt.
Most discussions focus on sensors, rules of the road, and liability, but often overlook a critical angle: in heavily trafficked, high-risk
ports, the pilot may be the only independent “human firewall” between algorithmic error and catastrophe.

Drawing on real pilotage scenarios, cyber-risk case studies, and human–machine interface research, this session reframes pilots not
as legacy costs, but as high-value safety and cybersecurity assets. It will explore how pilotage organisations, port authorities, and
terminal operators can formally embed pilots into cyber-resilience plans, incident playbooks, and AI governance structures. The talk
concludes with a challenge: ports that automate without elevating the pilot’s oversight role may actually increase systemic risk rather
than reduce it.

Belgian ports have launched the Port 2 Port Security Platform, a pioneering European initiative uniting seaports, inland ports, and waterway managers to enhance maritime security. Spearheaded by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, North Sea Port, and CSD Limburg, the platform includes partners such as the ports of Liège, Brussels, and Ostend, along with waterway managers in Antwerp and Flemish Brabant. Supported by the National Drug Commission and endorsed by Federal Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden, it shifts from isolated efforts to a coordinated national strategy.
The platform addresses key threats including drug smuggling, cyber-attacks, and drone misuse through knowledge sharing, joint training, and collaborative measures like inspections, access controls, and AI-based surveillance. Anchored in the ISPS Code and Belgian Maritime Security Act, it fosters collective resilience, protecting people, infrastructure, and the economy while promoting a shared security culture across the port community.

Cyber insurance is a crucial lifeline in safeguarding ports and terminals against the financial fallout of cyber incidents. This
specialized coverage assists in mitigating financial losses incurred due to cyberattacks, data breaches, and other digital perils.
While every cyber policy is unique, typical coverage types include business interruption losses, computer forensics, data recovery and
restoration, damaged or compromised systems repair or replacement, legal fees related to regulatory issues or third-party lawsuits,
crisis communication and public relations fees, customer notification, call center setup and operation, credit monitoring services,
ransom payment (if legally allowed), lost funds, customer credits and refunds, and reputational damage. BD

Speaker: TBD, Armada Global