Modernization of seaports in response to electrification of transport chains

Research Project, 2024

To meet the demand for electrification of transport the seaports need to adapt; however, to offer long-term benefits the modernization of container seaports must be approached with an eye toward sustainability. Modernizing with the use of electric power for infrastructure and equipment is a (one of) step in that direction. While many questions still exist regarding the upstream and downstream effects of the use of electric power at container seaports on overall supply chain sustainability efforts, it is clear that electrifying some of the power leads to cleaner energy that, if implemented properly, has the potential to serve as a cost-effective clean energy solution that does not sacrifice productivity and performance.  This work considers the question:
How do the seaports respond to the demands that are emerging in the transport chain due to the transition to electrification of transport? The chain includes actors such as transport operators, vessel operators, dry port operators, port terminal operators, service providers, cargo owners.
We anticipate that there are both carbon contributing and carbon reducing processes in the upstream supply chain resulting from seaport electrification initiatives.  We will estimate the output of these processes in terms of impact on seaport and upstream supply chain carbon emissions in the context of seaport electrification. Managers can use the findings from this work, as well as the processes used to uncover the findings, to investigate the impact of port modernization via electrification on overall end-to-end supply chain carbon emissions.