Despite widespread adoption of digital tools and automation technologies, marine terminals face persistent challenges with data connectivity, system integration, and real-time visibility—especially those managing complex operations with lean teams.
The insight comes from a global survey by Tideworks Technology in partnership with Port Technology International, released this week. The organizations polled 121 professionals from container, bulk, and roll-on/roll-off terminal operations with annual throughputs ranging from less than 100,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) to more than five million TEUs.
The data revealed “key opportunities” for practical, real-time, and automated data connectivity across marine terminal operations, according to both companies. The research also found that artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a top technology priority for large terminals, while terminals of all sizes ranked equipment and asset utilization as the two leading focus areas to improve operations.
“We see marine terminals making bold technology investments, but the next step is ensuring systems work together,” Thomas J. Rucker, president of Tideworks Technology, said in a statement announcing the findings. “What’s needed now is smarter connectivity that links data seamlessly across systems, both within the terminal and beyond the gate.”
The findings highlight where more connected, real-time systems can deliver the greatest impact for terminal operations. The research found that:
- Yard optimization is a top priority: Nearly three-quarters of terminals said they are focused on reducing unproductive moves and maximizing equipment use. Yard space remains a constraint, with 66% citing it as their top challenge.
- Process automation leads, equipment lags: Nearly 60%of respondents ranked process automation as their priority for technology initiatives, making it the top item in this category. Equipment automation is a lower priority, ranked fifth place with 35%.
- Limited connectivity hinders real-time insight: Eighty-six percent of respondents said they utilize terminal operating systems (TOS) and planning tools; however, just 30% said they leverage real-time analytics. Data sharing is also a barrier—53% said they face internal integration challenges, and 46% struggle externally. In addition, nearly half (45%) said they lack real-time visibility.
- AI interest is growing, but data foundations must improve: Among large terminals (those with more than 1 million TEUs annually), 64% are prioritizing AI, compared to 43% of terminals overall. However, 58% of all terminals said they still rely on manual data practices, highlighting the need for cleaner, more accessible data before advanced technologies can deliver real value.
Tideworks Technology provides terminal operating system solutions for marine and intermodal rail terminal operations worldwide.
