In an interview with Maritime Fairtrade, Sjoerd De Jager, CEO and co-founder, PortXchange, a Rotterdam-based company offering digital solutions for maritime logistics, said there is an urgency for green progress as the maritime industry is increasingly facing a host of sustainability challenges.
De Jager was a speaker at the 4th Annual Sustainability Week in early October last year.
Sjoerd De Jager, CEO and co-founder, PortXchange. Photo credit: PortXchange
What are the key messages to take away from the 4th Annual Sustainability Week?
The 4th Annual Sustainability Week imparts several vital insights for maritime stakeholders, emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative action to advance sustainability. PortXchange acknowledges the forum’s focus on cooperation within the maritime ecosystem as crucial for achieving decarbonization targets.
Stakeholders are urged to adopt open data-sharing models that facilitate real-time insights, optimizing port operations and propelling industry-wide progress towards net-zero emissions.
The event highlighted the importance of investing in digitalization and sustainable fuel infrastructure. By prioritizing these areas, stakeholders can significantly mitigate their environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.
Furthermore, there is an increasing call for social responsibility, particularly in enhancing air quality for local communities and safeguarding the health and well-being of seafarers — a critical aspect of sustainability that must not be overlooked.
The forum also underscored the necessity for regulatory alignment on a global scale. Ports, shipping companies, and other stakeholders must proactively engage with emerging policies and adopt best practices that integrate environmental sustainability with operational effectiveness.
What are the sustainability trends forecasted for 2025?
Looking towards 2025, several key sustainability trends are set to influence the maritime industry.
Climate change remains a paramount concern, as highlighted in the ESPO Environmental Report, which underscores its significance for ports. This aligns with a growing number of initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impacts through accessible, open-source emissions reporting tools and government-mandated frameworks, with transparency emerging as a cornerstone of decarbonization efforts.
Investment in sustainable fuel infrastructure is accelerating, focusing on developing hydrogen, biofuels, and electric power solutions.
Enhanced data quality is also anticipated to facilitate accurate emissions reporting, support accountability, and enable informed, sustainability-focused decision-making by ports.
Furthermore, practices such as just-in-time (JIT) sailing and optimized port operations are expected to reduce idle times, significantly cutting emissions.
Collaboration among ports, hinterland transport, and shipping lines will be essential for a holistic approach to sustainability. By electrifying transport modes and transitioning cargo movement to rail or barges, the industry can diminish its reliance on carbon-intensive methods, moving closer to its sustainability goals.
For PortXchange, these trends reinforce the industry’s shift towards more responsible, transparent, and efficient practices that will benefit both the maritime sector and the global environment.
Another significant trend is the establishment of Green Shipping Corridors. These corridors enable the maritime industry to test, calibrate, and assess risks within specific trade route ecosystems, providing valuable insights that can be scaled to other regions or sectors.
How to resolve the common roadblock of getting multiple stakeholders on the same page to achieve results?
An excellent first step is to link data-sharing to government funding, allowing authorities to effectively incentivize decarbonization and digitalization across the sector.
Aligning diverse stakeholders requires a commitment to transparency and standardized data-sharing practices. By implementing frameworks that promote open communication, set shared decarbonization goals, and establish clear benchmarks, the industry can synchronize efforts to achieve impactful outcomes.
Standardized protocols, such as virtual arrival clauses, are particularly effective, reducing inefficiencies and emissions through collaborative planning and real-time operational adjustments.
A compelling example is JIT port calls, powered by robust digital data and AI, which optimize scheduling, ensure reliable shipping routes, and help advance environmental objectives.
Regulatory bodies play an essential role in this alignment by establishing enforceable standards and offering compliance incentives. Such guidance builds a consistent framework, encouraging stakeholders to work towards unified goals.
Creating forums for seafarers, port authorities, shipping companies, and policymakers to openly discuss challenges and solutions further supports alignment, empowering all participants to engage in decarbonization initiatives.
At PortXchange, we see this approach as a foundation for meaningful, industry-wide change. By fostering shared responsibility and open communication, the maritime sector can advance towards decarbonization in a cohesive and impactful way.
Establishing global standards that not only meet regulatory requirements but also drive significant emissions reductions is critical, requiring full transparency in reporting across the entire supply chain — from direct operations to broader logistics networks.
What is still lacking in the maritime workforce to support net-zero emission targets?
The maritime workforce currently faces significant skill gaps that must be addressed to support international net-zero emission targets, particularly in digitalization and emissions management.
At PortXchange, we see this as a critical challenge, especially as advanced digital tools and alternative fuels transform the industry landscape.
A pressing skills gap exists in digital technology and emissions data analysis. There is a shortage of professionals capable of interpreting complex emissions data and translating it into actionable insights — skills essential for making real-time, sustainable operational decisions.
Optimizing emissions reductions relies on expertise in using advanced digital tools, such as emissions monitoring software and JIT arrival systems, which can significantly enhance operational efficiency and reduce emissions. However, without specialized training, the workforce cannot fully leverage these technologies.
We must also consider the needs of our seafarers. Projections suggest that by the mid-2030s, approximately 800,000 seafarers will require upskilling in competencies that extend beyond traditional maritime training, highlighting the urgent need for a modernized approach to workforce development.
PortXchange believes that equipping the maritime workforce with these necessary skills is crucial for achieving meaningful progress towards decarbonization targets. Addressing this gap will require a collective commitment from the industry to develop innovative training programs focused on digital competencies and real-time data application, empowering seafarers and maritime professionals to lead in a sustainable, digitally advanced future.
Photo credit: iStock/ Eakarat Buanoi
