The so-called fourth industrial revolution, marked by the convergence of digital, physical and biological technologies, or also known as industry 4.0, is a trend that continues to advance relentlessly and will mark, notably, the pace of the planet as a whole at the geopolitical, economic or social level.

The logistics sector is no stranger to this trend, and in this sense, the so-called 4.0 Ports are gaining more and more weight, which, with the use of technologies, are trying to be more competitive in the international logistics market.

At RFL, which works with the world’s leading shipping companies, this is something we take into account in order to adapt to an increasingly changing supply chain and also more technological. In the short and medium term this will translate into greater efficiency of the services offered by the companies and more security and traceability, something that is essential when we talk about perishable products.

Ports 4.0

For a port to be considered 4.0, it must satisfy the ever-increasing demands for efficiency, economy, safety and environmental compatibility. Some of the most important aspects are:

• Digitalization of processes and intelligent platforms. Commitment to transparency of operations and information through blockchain technology.
• Security and cyber-security that implies full automation of controls and processes.
• Environmental and energy sustainability, which involves the search for alternative fuels to carbon emissions, more in line with the laws and conventions of the maritime sector.

Puertos del Estado launches “Fondo Puertos 4.0”

Promoted by Puertos del Estado, which depends on the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, the “Ports 4.0 Fund” is the innovation model that aims to attract, support and facilitate the application of talent and entrepreneurship to the logistics-port sector, both public and private, to facilitate its transition to the 4.0 economy.

The programme is aimed at all those entrepreneurs and national and international companies with innovative ideas or projects capable of improving the efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability of the logistics-port sector and, in general, of trade, and with the capacity to develop and grow in the market through business projects.