NOK 18 million for digitization and streamlining of Norwegian ports
28. July 2021
Photo: Trygve Emil Tønnesen
The Norwegian Coastal Administration has given Kristiansand and eight other Norwegian ports NOK 18 million to establish common digital infrastructure in all Norwegian ports. The goal is clear: Shorter time in port and increased sailing time for shipping traffic in Norway.
The project has been named "Norwegian digital port infrastructure". The Port of Oslo is the project owner, and the participating ports will work with the Norwegian Mapping Authority and Grieg Connect to develop the digital infrastructure for the ports in Norway. Grieg Connect is currently the supplier of port systems to the Port of Kristiansand and around 50 other Norwegian ports.
Together, they will establish a comprehensive digital data structure for operational tools and future autonomous port operations.
- "We are delighted with this award and it is part of the long-term investment in the Port of Kristiansand IKS. We have seen repeatedly that such projects have an effect, the clearest example being the port's use of shore power, where we have registered a dramatic reduction in emissions. It's also nice that this time we're doing it jointly with many other ports. This will lead to changes nationally," says Halvard Aglen, Port Director at the Port of Kristiansand.
The Port of Kristiansand has a good collaboration with the other ports and has previously worked closely with Grieg Connect.
- With this project, the ports are taking a big step into the future of shipping traffic. Together with the Norwegian Mapping Authority, we are building the ports' new digital map solution. This will simplify all operations related to vessel calls and provide an overview of all activities and resources in the port at all times. The project is building the digital quay that autonomous vessels and loading operations will talk to in the near future," says Erik Aadland, Head of Sales and Marketing at Grieg Connect to the Port of Oslo.
The total cost of the project is NOK 32.5 million. In addition to the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the ports involved and Grieg Connect itself will finance the project with NOK 14.5 million. The nine ports involved are Kristiansand, Arendal, Oslo, Kristiansund, Båtsfjord, Bergen, Karmsund, Trondheim and Bodø.
The project will establish a digital data structure for daily operational tools, but also future autonomous port operations. Digital tools will also be developed for the use of port data, with the aim of streamlining and improving the way ports are run.
Furthermore, e-mail will be replaced with digital quay and service booking. Port security and access will take place through mobile apps and electronic visitor logs. And national standards for port data will be established for all ports. Non-sensitive port data will also be opened in the Norwegian Mapping Authority's database, and will form the basis for new national services for all shipping traffic.
20 percent reduction in length of stay
The goal is for new digital infrastructure to lead to a 20% reduction in layover time for cargo and tanker ships over a 10-year period, and an 18% reduction in waiting time for large vehicles.
For the participating ports, an estimate of cost savings for vessels and trucks visiting the ports of NOK 86 million in the first full year of operation (2022) has also been presented. Reduced emissions are estimated at 1,234,158 tons of CO2 equivalents over 10 years.
- Increased efficiency for the vessels and reduced emissions will be the really big gains here. As a shipping nation, Norway is reinforcing its leading position in maritime technology," says Erik Aadland.
- "This is a very exciting project that includes sub-projects that the Port of Kristiansand IKS has been working on for a long time. We are always ready for new developments," says Halvard Aglen.
