Digital disruption in major ports with special reference to chennai port, kamarajar port, and tuticorin port /

Abstract

Digitalization is the new buzzword in port environments and has become the top priority for all major ports in India. The main motivators for this ambitious strategy are the financial profits that come along, increased trade volumes, and attracting new customers. In this context, many ports are endeavoring to employ cutting-edge technologies and improve port’s efficiency. The article aims to evaluate the pre- and post-port performances after implementation of EDI and partial automation. The researcher has used secondary data from the period 2010 to 2021. Later, this data was used to develop efficiency indices like—operating surplus per employee, operating surplus per vessel, and operating surplus per 000’ tons. These indices gaged and compared the port’s performances. It was found that adopting digital technologies positively impacts port’s economics and improves its efficiency. The author used secondary data due to paucity of time. Likewise, data for the year 2021–2022 was excluded from the study as it was only partly available.