1Connectedports ofthe future

Making ports smarter and safer
with private cellular networks

May 2023

Ericsson | Ports Solution Brief

ericsson.com/ports

2

Ericsson | Ports Solution Brief

Connectivity will help
us realize the visionof the Smart Port.
Ports are fundamental to the global economy,transferring up to 90 percent of the world’s
goods.1 The shipping industry is growing
and will continue to grow, and pressures aremounting for the industry to become more
efficient and more automated. Yet most ports
lag behind in modernization. Operations
continue to be slowed down by vessel andtruck congestion. How can ports meet risingdemand while increasing efficiency, reducing
costs and maintaining sustainability?

1. The International Chamber of Shipping

At Ericsson, we believe in the power of cellular
to help transform ports into more productive
and sustainable transport hubs. These digitallyconnected ports of the future will be able toseamlessly connect millions of shipments andtrack goods more efficiently and securely.

3Ericsson | Ports Solution Brief

Four challenges facing ports
Ports face several challenges which must be
overcome if they are to progress. Container
shipping is growing in response to demands
in consumer and industrial trade. This growthplaces greater pressure on ports to be more
efficient and sustainable. They must also becompetitively priced to attract major shippinglines. According to a Navis survey in Ports
Technology, 67 percent of port providers see
reducing operating costs as their priority.2
We’ve identified four key areas that port
providers must address to succeed.
Running a tighter ship
Ports only have a limited amount of yard
space. So as both the volume of shipping trade
and the size of vessels increase, ports are being
forced to look at how best to utilize their assets.
According to Port Technology,3 76 percent ofport providers see optimizing yard and terminal
operations as their number one priority andchallenge. This makes it imperative to reduce
equipment failures and downtime of criticalequipment, like cranes. Better asset monitoringis needed to help overcome business andeconomic challenges.
Unlocking gridlock and congestion
A congested yard is a problematic one. Yard
congestion creates not only inefficiencies, butalso more environmental impact. Congestion
is being compounded by increasing demand
as a growing number of vessels and trucks
need access to a limited space. A shortageof port pilots is also creating longer waitingtimes for boats to be unloaded. According to
the data from the COREALIS case study in
Ericsson’s Port of the Future report, vessels
spend around 36 hours at the dock as they’reunloaded and reloaded.4 And while any ship orvehicle is waiting, their engines are idling andemitting CO2. Digitalization would make theunloading and reloading process faster andmore efficient, cutting yard congestion and its
environmental impact.
Making ports safer for people
Along with making their processes run
smoother, increasing worker safety is a top
concern for ports. Working among heavy cargo,
dangerous equipment and many other hazards
puts port workers at daily risk of injury. Almost
42 percent of marine casualties or incidents
took place in the port area.

Getting greener by getting smarter
Regulatory bodies are requiring ports toreduce their greenhouse gas emissions, whichalong with scientific recommendations, aremandating ports cut their emissions in halfby 2030. While a reduction of this nature will
come from the sum of many measures taken,
every effort will help. For example, the Port ofLivorno, in partnership with Ericsson, is using
5G technologies to achieve an estimated
8.2 percent reduction in CO2 as a result ofimproved yard movements in the container
terminal processes and KPIs.5
Destination: Ports 4.0
To provide greater efficiency, lower costs,
enable better monitoring and increase safety,
digitally connected ports, or smart ports, must
be created. Automation and connectivity will
be fundamental to solving the four challenges
we’ve outlined. But costly and inflexible legacy
technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or physicalcables simply can’t provide the connectivity
required for smart ports. To build the digitallyconnected ports of the future, a much more
powerful connectivity technology is needed.
Private networks deliver the goods.
Operating cranes, moving numerous
containers, vehicles and equipment andmonitoring the many workers in a port
produces vast amounts of data. A smart
port’s infrastructure has to be able to handle
and process all that data. A 5G-ready private
cellular network provides the highest level ofconnectivity.
What is a private network? A private network is
an on-premises cellular network deployed foran organization’s exclusive use. It’s a fit-forpurpose, high-performance and agile networkthat ensures the connectivity and security aport needs. Private wireless networks allow
for secure remote operations, autonomousand connected vehicles, connected workers
and predictive maintenance. Most private
cellular networks today are LTE networks
with 5G-ready capabilities. For instance,
Ericsson’s private network solution offers
ultra-high bandwidth and super-low latency
that lets ports run multiple use case scenarios
on a single network, retain control of network
resource allocation, and ensure that critical
data remains on-site.

2. Ericsson, ifm, and Arthur D Little. (2021, February). Connected Ports: A guide to making ports smarter with private
cellular technology.
3. Ibid.
4. Ibid.
5. Ericsson. (2020, June). Port of the future: Addressing efficiency and sustainability at the Port of Livorno with 5G.

Advantages of a private
LTE/5G network:• High bandwidth, low latency• Supports important use cases—
voice, mission-critical Push-To-Talk(MC-PTT), autonomous machines,
remote control, predictive
maintenance, environmental sensing.
• Open ecosystem lets companies
avoid vendor-lock.
• Reliable and predictableperformance• Cost-efficient—requiring a factor of
10 fewer communication nodes tocover the same area compared toWi-Fi.
• Rich device ecosystem gives
companies more choices forcommunications.
• End-to-end security, using SIMs, onboth network and device levels. Wi-Fi
standard only covers L1-L2 security.

4

Ericsson | Ports Solution Brief

Four Smart Ports Use Cases
In our work and research with ports around theworld, we’ve identified three use cases as themost promising starting points in the smart port
journey. The use cases span the entire container
port operation chain and are the most importantand relevant cases for the cellular-powered
smart port.
1. Condition monitoring
2. Automated guided vehicles
3. Drones for surveillance and deliveries
4. Smart cranes with automation and remotecontrol

Condition Monitoring
Predicting the unpredictable
A machine malfunction that creates anaccident or fire is costly, not just in repairs butin downtime. According to Port Technology, 25
percent of the costs of equipment damage isdue to inadequate or incorrect maintenance.6
Smarter condition monitoring of equipment,
assets, and maintenance services increases
efficiency, lowers maintenance costs, andreduces downtime.
Condition monitoring enables early detectionof potential faults and their causes on the basisof individual vibration characteristics and otherinfluencing factors. This allows for permanentand continual monitoring of critical machines
and equipment.
For condition monitoring, the network needs tobe able to manage high connection density andtransfer data in real time, with extremely highreliability. Plus, the port site needs to process
and analyze the data in the cloud securely. This
real-time process monitoring is what helps
protect a port’s machinery. The permanentmonitoring helps avoid damage to machinecomponents, tools or workpieces, and creates
shorter response times.
Cellular-connected sensors and a cloud-based
solution enable condition data to transfer in realtime, reducing on-the-ground monitoring efforts
by 40 percent, according to Port Strategy.7
These sensors require response times as fast
as a fraction of a second, making a private 5G
network ideally suited for this use case.
Ports can cut the spare parts, oils and resources
needed for maintenance by 50 percent,according to SAAB RDS. And condition-based
monitoring of cranes can reduce maintenancecosts by as much as 75 percent.8

6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.

Automated guided vehicles
Steering clear of danger
Ports depend on large numbers of tractors,
all of which require a human pilot to movehorizontally across port yards. But poor
communications between tractor drivers
results in congestion and collisions, all of which
impacts upon the port’s productivity. According
to ResearchGate, in the past five years, 36
percent of accidents in ports were caused bypilot error and 42 percent of accidents wereclassified as “traffic” accidents. By using
automated guided vehicles (AGV), we can help
avoid accidents and make workers safer.
An automated guided vehicle connected toa cellular network can receive work orders
as well as positioning information from acentral intelligence. This data supplies collision
warnings and improves the accuracy, safety,and speed of operations.

To remotely control the AGVs while complying
with safety regulations requires a connection
with extremely low latency. 5G cellular canmeet these requirements, making it a goodsolution for the remote control of AGVs in thenear future. Deploying automated guided
vehicles connected by private cellular networks
will create payback in around two years anda return on investment by Year Five of 149percent.

5Drones for surveillanceand deliveriesAn eye in the sky
Security has become a major concern forports. Thefts of cargo are common, resulting in
disrupted supply chains. Twenty percent of all
marine transport thefts happen at the port.
Another challenge is that papers and otherdocumentation deliveries need to reach a ship
before it arrives at the dock. Traditionally, ports
use a tugboat or launch boat for making thesedeliveries, even though the package might bejust a single envelope or piece of paper. Maersk
Tankers reports that such deliveries typically
cost more than USD 1,000 each.9Ports are looking for a technological solution
to these problems and the use cases provided
through drones can deliver just that. Modern
drones use 3D sensors connected by cellular
to real-time analytics to navigate and collectdata. Operated by a pilot remotely, drones
can be deployed effectively for security
surveillance, inspections and the delivery ofdocuments to and from vessels.
The drones require a network that canaccommodate high-resolution video,

9. Ibid.

Ericsson | Ports Solution Brief

provide high-accuracy positioning, very highbandwidth and low latency.

Smart cranes withautomation and remotecontrol
Safer, more efficient smart cranes
A shipping port operates as an intersection
point between sea and land transport. The
handling of cargo by cranes is one of the keytasks performed in ports.
Traditionally, operators rely on large humanresources to operate cranes. However,with increased labor costs, harsh working
environments, and insufficient personnel,
smart cranes offer an immensely appealing
opportunity.
Automated smart cranes are often locatedin the port’s container yard and are used
to stack containers and move cargo. With
5G connected remote control ability,
these cranes carry out their operations in
an autonomous manner, allowing craneoperators to supervise multiple cranes
simultaneously, minimizing the risk ofhuman loss while massively increasing
loading speeds and efficiencies.

The vision for 5G technology and connectivity
allows for the real time tracking of assets, ship
to shore crane technology and managementof cargo for port operators, further facilitating
flexibility and the reliable deployment ofinnovative smart port solutions.

All of this can be enabled
by a 5G private network.
Each of these four use cases will enable acontainer’s journey through a port to be faster,safer and more efficient. But when combined
to work in unison, the value multiplies
significantly. Ideally, when deployed together,complete payback can be achieved in less than
two years.
The four use cases discussed all work best
and generate the most ROI when poweredby a 5G-ready private cellular network. Oncethe network is in place, great potential exists
to expand with additional use cases within
the smart port, and integrations with otherindustries—for example, a fully connectedsupply chain.

6

Ericsson | Ports Solution Brief

Smart connectivity for the smart port of tomorrow
Only robust wireless connectivity canhandle the huge amounts of data andvoice communications that are missioncritical to smart ports. A 5G-ready private
cellular network introduces the highspeed connectivity, low latency and strong
performance—optimized for the Internet ofThings (IoT)—required in a port’s complex,
dynamic environment.

Ericsson’s broad portfolio for private networks,
including the most extensive radio portfolioof any major Tier-1 vendor, can help meet
port operators’ diverse wireless networking
needs. Ericsson has the global experience andreferences to provide proven technology thatcan easily be deployed in ports. In addition,
port operators can test and readily utilize 5G
technologies with Ericsson’s cost-effective
software-only, upgradable solutions.

Private network solutions from Ericsson
Ericsson’s private networks portfolio is plugand play. Our solution has options ranging
from as low as 100 user licenses, consistingof Small Core, to 25k users, called Large Core.
Ericsson’s Radio System portfolio comes ina range of sizes. Radios the size of smoke
detectors can accommodate small indoor
building spaces. Our medium-sized radios,called micro radios, are ideal for average tomedium applications. Our macro radios cancover a reasonably large area, with a moderateamount of subscriber density.

Ericsson Private 5G brings the high quality,
fast and secure connectivity that allows ports
to mobilize the efficiency—and safety—
improving use cases we’ve outlined. We havea broad portfolio for private networks that canhelp ports with different wireless networking
needs, including the most extensive CBRS
radio portfolio of any major Tier-1 vendor.
Ericsson has the global experience andreferences to have proven technology that caneasily be deployed by ports. In addition, with
Ericsson’s software-only upgradable portfolio,
ports being able to test and readily utilize
5G technologies can be cost-effective with
Ericsson solutions.

7

Ericsson | Ports Solution Brief

Why choose
Ericsson wirelesssolutions?
For ports looking ahead to the digitalized
future, smart ports powered by Ericsson
Private 5G promise to deliver a substantial
triple bottom line that includes more efficient
operations, greater safety for workers, lessdowntime, and even more responsible
environmental impact thanks to shorter idlingtimes for ships and vehicles.
Ericsson’s solutions are based on 3GPP
(formal standards); these adhere to large
ecosystem players in device manufacturers.
Working with a large number of operator andecosystem partners, Ericsson is the market

leader in 4G and 5G deployed technologies,
and that level of robustness comes withso many deployments in its technology.
Ericsson is unique in that the private network
portfolio utilizes the same radio and baseband
portfolio that the larger providers utilize andthus enables a broad reach that can help fit
the solutions needs for larger multinational
company needs. In addition, Ericsson has
extensive relationships with many of theworld’s providers, so pathways towards hybrid
solution offerings that consist of partnerships
with local operators can be easily facilitatedwith Ericsson’s involvement.

How can we help you?
Bringing about change is never simple. But theadvances of automation enabled by private
networks have the potential to solve many ofthe port industry’s ongoing challenges—andeven shape the future of the industry.
Find out how we can help you with aproof-of-value concept at your own port.
www.ericsson.com/ports

8

Ericsson | Document title

About Ericsson

Ericsson enables communications service providers tocapture the full value of connectivity. The company’s
portfolio spans Networks, Cloud Software and Services,and Emerging Business and is designed to help ourcustomers go digital, increase efficiency and find newrevenue streams. Ericsson’s investments in innovationhave delivered the benefits of telephony and mobile
broadband to billions of people around the world. TheEricsson stock is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and onNasdaq New York.
www.ericsson.com© Ericsson 2023

The content of this document is subject torevision without notice due to continued
progress in methodology, design andmanufacturing. Ericsson shall have noliability for any error or damage of any kind
resulting from the use of this document.

www.ericsson.com
SE-126 25 Stockholm, Sweden
Telephone +46 10 719 00 00
May 2023