Digital Technology and Automation

Digital technologies and automation in ports are central to delivering greener, safer and more competitive “smart port” systems that support global and regional sustainability agendas, particularly in DMCs. They cut emissions, optimize resource use and improve safety while generating data needed to demonstrate sustainability performance. (Zhang et al., 2024)

Global and regional policy context

Port digitalization advances several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Smart systems reduce fuel use, congestion and waiting time, lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships and landside logistics. (Jovanovic et al., 2025)

The ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance classifies transport and storage activities, including ports, by their contribution to climate mitigation, adaptation and resource resilience using a “traffic light” system. Information and Communication is one of three enabling sectors in ASEAN Taxonomy Version 4 (November 2025); while port digital solutions are not a separate category, they are enabling technologies that can help port activities meet “green” technical screening thresholds on emissions intensity, energy efficiency and pollution control, where the applicable criteria are met.

For Southeast Asia, smart and green ports support regional integration, resilient supply chains and national decarbonization and digital-economy agendas in countries such as Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia. (ADB, 2026)

Key digital and automation practices

1. Digital Operations and Decision Support Systems

Modern Terminal Operating Systems, Port Community Systems and integrated dashboards use real-time data, IoT and AI to orchestrate berth allocation, yard planning and cargo flows. They cut turnaround time and idle running of equipment, delivering emissions reductions and higher safety, and generate data for SDG indicators and taxonomy metrics. Emerging directions include AI-driven “digital twins” of whole ports for real-time optimization and near-autonomous operations. (Hirata et al., 2022, Zhang et al., 2024)

2. Vessel Call and Traffic Optimization

Just-intime arrival systems combine AIS data, weather and tidal information so ships can adjust speed and arrive when a berth is available, minimizing anchorage waiting. This supports SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing fuel burned at sea and at anchor and tackles local air-quality issues relevant to SDG 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities). In Southeast Asia, Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) is developing an AI-enabled Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System⁠ (opens in new tab) for dense vessel traffic in the Strait of Malacca and Port of Singapore, with future potential for shared regional traffic platforms. (Hirata et al., 2022, Zhang et al., 2024)

3. Smart Landside Logistics and Gate Management

Transport Management Systems, truck appointment platforms and digital customs interfaces coordinate truck arrivals and yard movements. Automated gates using OCR, RFID and license-plate recognition enable faster, paperless processing, shrinking idling emissions and improving worker safety. Across Asia-Pacific, digital trucking platforms reduce empty trips and support modal shifts to rail and barge, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry Innovation & Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production). Over time, integration with urban traffic systems and electrified truck fleets will help ports meet taxonomy “green” thresholds in hinterland transport. (Redekar et al., 2025, Hirata et al., 2022)

4. Energy and Infrastructure Monitoring (Smart Utilities)

Smart meters and IoT based controls monitor and optimize energy use for lighting, HVAC, cranes and pumps. These systems support SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enabling demand response, on-site solar integration and detailed carbon accounting. They are also crucial for shore-power deployment, ensuring capacity and monitoring ship connections in line with green taxonomy criteria. (Jovanovic et al., 2025, Zhang et al., 2024)

5. Asset Management and Predictive Maintenance

Sensors on cranes, vehicles and infrastructure feed analytics platforms that detect wear and potential failures early. Predictive maintenance reduces unplanned downtime, cuts spare-parts waste and extends asset life, supporting SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production) and resource-efficiency objectives in the ASEAN Taxonomy. In smart terminals, these platforms also track battery health of electric cranes and vehicles, ensuring reliable low-carbon operations. (Redekar et al., 2025)

6. Automation for Safety-Critical Operations

Automation is applied to high-risk tasks such as stacking cranes, guided vehicles, mooring systems and remote pilotage aids. This reduces human exposure to traffic and heavy lifts, contributing to SDG 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing), SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry Innovation & Infrastructure) while improving consistency and energy efficiency. Singapore's Tuas Port⁠ (opens in new tab), designed with electrified automated yard cranes and automated guided vehicles, illustrates how automation and electrification can combine for both safety and emissions benefits. (Hirata et al., 2022)

7. Strategic Planning Tools and Simulation

Simulation tools and port-scale digital twins support long-term decisions on infrastructure, climate resilience and innovation pathways. By modeling demand, sea-level rise, extreme weather and modal shift, they help align port expansion with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and climateadaptation objectives in the ASEAN Taxonomy. In DMCs, these tools inform mega-port and industrial-zone planning, testing impacts of automation, alternative fuels and hinterland connectivity on emissions and competitiveness. (Zhang et al., 2024, ADB, 2026)

8. Grassroot Digital Solutions

Bottom-up innovations include mobile apps for incident reporting, maintenance ticketing, workforce training and community feedback on noise and air quality. They empower workers and local communities, supporting SDG 9 (Industry Innovation & Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) while providing granular data for broader sustainability reporting. Hackathons, innovation labs and startup partnerships in DMCs are generating locally adapted solutions for small and medium-sized ports that cannot yet invest in full automation. (Redekar et al., 2025, Jovanovic et al., 2025)

Digitalization and automation can support the evidence needed for port related transport and storage activities to qualify as “green” or “amber” in the ASEAN Taxonomy by improving emissions intensity, pollution control and resource efficiency. Data produced by digital systems is essential for evidencing compliance with technical screening criteria, “Do No Significant Harm” safeguards and social conditions such as safety and labor standards. ASEAN Taxonomy Version 4 (November 2025) already recognizes Information and Communication, including data centers, as an enabling sector with its own technical screening criteria. (ADB, 2026)

For DMCs, opportunities include access to sustainable finance for port upgrades, regional leadership in smart-port solutions and creation of high-skilled jobs in digital services and engineering.

-Barriers include high capital costs, fragmented data standards, cyber-security risks, unequal digital skills and concerns about job displacement in labour-intensive ports.

-Key enabling conditions are:

• -clear strategies linking port digitalization with decarbonization and sustainable finance;
• -harmonized data standards and interoperability across ports and logistics chains;
• -capacity building and reskilling programs;
• -robust cyber-security and safety regulations aligned with international maritime rules.

(ADB, 2026, Zhang et al., 2024)

Together, these measures can help DMC ports use digital technology and automation not just for efficiency, but as a core pathway to operationalise global and regional sustainability commitments and to meet emerging ASEAN Taxonomy technical screening criteria. (ADB, 2026, Zhang et al., 2024)