The Port of Rotterdam Authority launches a new company PortXchange to make digital shipping app Pronto available to ports worldwide.

Together with strategic partners Shell International and A.P. Moller – Maersk, PortXchange will initially offer Pronto to several ports outside the Netherlands.
The launch of PortXchange provides a platform to create new strategic partnerships with ports, shipping companies and terminals, geared towards implementing smart digital solutions like Pronto in ports worldwide.
This in turn contributes to the ambition of Port of Rotterdam to become the world’s smartest port.

PortXchange

Trust between parties for the free exchange of data is vital to the successful introduction of Pronto in other ports.
The establishment of a separate company enables the solution’s neutrality and independence, and improves cooperation between all parties.
PortXchange aims to improve the efficiency of port calls and help clients reduce their emissions – both in the port as well as between ports.
To this end, the company provides Pronto, a joint platform that can be used to optimally plan, execute and monitor all activities during a port call based on the exchange of standardised data.
In addition, Pronto enables just-in-time sailing, which helps reduce carbon emissions.

A smart port is a connected port

Taking the lead in digital transformation enables the Port of Rotterdam to become more efficient, reliable and, as result, more competitive.
The first PortXchange partnerships have already been signed with Shell and A.P. Moller – Maersk.
Allard Castelein, CEO Port of Rotterdam Authority, said: “Pronto will be offered in several ports in Europe and the US before the end of the year.
“The ambition for the years ahead is to make Pronto available to ports worldwide.”
Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President of Shell Shipping & Maritime, said: “We are moving towards a global, end-to-end digitally connected operating environment for shipping, as in the airline industry.
“For example, at Shell, our onshore digital centre is able to analyse 500 data points a second in real time from each ship we manage.
“In partnering on Pronto, we can see opportunities to extend this work to optimising port operations.
“The results of our trials so far have already shown the great benefits in increased efficiency, reduced fuel and operating costs, and lower emissions.”
Kent Stig Hagbarth , Head of Operations Execution at A.P. Moller-Maersk, said: “We see a significant need and opportunity to improve the collaboration, communication, and single data usage amongst port participants for optimized sailing and port calls for vessels.
“The aim of the Pronto platform, to enable just in time arrival and optimize the port stay of our vessels, not only enables us to increase schedule reliability to the benefit of our customers but also to achieve our goal of reducing our CO2 emissions.”