AI-Enabled Smart Port: Policy–Technology Framework for Port’s Industry 5.0 and IoT-Enabled Transformation

Executive Summary

Chattogram (CTG) Port, Bangladesh’s principal maritime gateway, has entered a decisive juncture. With record-breaking container throughput, the commissioning of new terminals, and national commitments to trade facilitation and climate goals, the port must evolve beyond incremental enhancements and embrace a comprehensive Industry 5.0 transformation.

This directive sets out a strategic, standards-aligned roadmap for modernization—anchored in human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience, the defining principles of Industry 5.0. It aligns CTG’s trajectory with global regulatory mandates, including the IMO Maritime Single Window, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, and the IMO 2023 GHG Strategy, ensuring compliance while unlocking efficiency.

Drawing on international best practice from global leaders—Rotterdam, Singapore, Hamburg, Antwerp-Bruges, and Ningbo-Zhoushan—the framework integrates Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies, 5G/6G connectivity, IoT, digital twins, and advanced data platforms. It proposes a phased transformation model tailored to Bangladesh’s ecosystem:

• Short-term: deployment of private 5G and PCS/MSW integration for vessel calls and yard automation;
• Medium-term: adoption of digital twin infrastructure and port-call optimization;
• Long-term: readiness for 6G/IMT-2030 capabilities, including non-terrestrial networks and integrated sensing.

By embedding global standards with local priorities, this roadmap positions CTG Port to keep pace with rising trade volumes and leapfrog into a globally competitive, resilient, and sustainable smart port—a benchmark for South Asia’s maritime future.

From Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 in Ports

Industry 4.0 introduced cyber-physical systems, pervasive sensors, analytics and automation across value chains. Industry 5.0 complements, rather than replaces, Industry 4.0 by making transformation human-centric, sustainable, and resilient—placing worker wellbeing and societal value alongside productivity. This framing from the European Commission is now a reference lens for port innovation and workforce upskilling.

Implication for CTG: modernization projects (automation, AI, robotics) should be evaluated not just on throughput/cost, but also on safety, ergonomics, skills pathways, and climate resilience—hallmarks of Industry 5.0.

Regulatory & Standards Context You Must Build On

• IMO Maritime Single Window (MSW): Since 1 January 2024, all IMO member states must operate a maritime single window for ship arrival/stay/departure data. Any port-wide digitization in CTG should integrate with Bangladesh’s Single Window to remain compliant and unlock efficiency.
• IAPH Cyber Guidelines: Ports are critical infrastructure and cyber risk has risen markedly. IAPH’s guidelines (developed with the World Bank) give a port-specific control set and maturity pathway—highly relevant as CTG connects more assets.
• 3GPP 5G-Advanced (Release 18/19): Release 18 is the first “5G-Advanced” step (finalized 2024), bringing improved positioning, reliability, and efficiency—ideal for cranes, AGVs and yard operations. Release 19 continues this evolution through 2025.
• ITU’s 6G/IMT-2030 Framework: ITU-R Rec. M.2160 sets the global vision for 6G—expanded scenarios, 15 capabilities, and sustainability emphasis—signposting what ports can expect post-2030 (e.g., integrated sensing/communications, advanced NTN).

What Leading “Smart Ports” Are Doing (and What Works)

· Rotterdam – Port call optimization + digital twin Rotterdam operationalized PortXchange (Pronto) to synchronize port calls and reduce emissions/idle time, and is building a digital twin fusing infrastructure, hydrology, weather and traffic data to support just-in-time (JIT) arrivals and asset decisions. Singapore – MSW + ecosystem APIs digitalPORT@SG™ serves as Singapore’s maritime single window and integrates with digitalOCEANS™ standards to interoperate with external platforms. This pairing institutionalizes data sharing and makes JIT arrivals practical.

· Hamburg & Antwerp-Bruges – Private 5G for yard automation Hamburg’s 5G pilots tested network slicing and industrial reliability for traffic/infrastructure control; Antwerp-Bruges runs private 5G trials for drones, safety and campus networking—models for CTG’s container terminals.

· Ningbo-Zhoushan – 5G + AI for cranes and trucks China’s busiest port uses 5G for quay-crane HD video backhaul and automated tallying (>95% recognition accuracy in pilots) and platooning of smart trucks—evidence of clear productivity gains.

· Netherlands – National PCS as public good Portbase (Rotterdam/Amsterdam) is a neutral, nation-scale Port Community System offering 40+ services; World Bank estimates €245 million/year cost savings for logistics participants—showing the macro-benefits of a mature PCS.

CTG Port: Current Momentum & Imperatives

CTG set record container throughput in FY 2024–25 (≈ 3.296 million TEU), reflecting sustained demand and incremental efficiency gains. Large capital projects—Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), Bay Terminal (BCT) and the Matarbari Deep Sea Port program—are advancing, increasingly with PPP operating models and JICA/ADB support. Digital infrastructure must keep pace or physical capacity will under-deliver.

Bangladesh has partially launched the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) and runs ASYCUDA World—a strong base to connect CTG’s port-side MSW/PCS services to national trade processes.

On connectivity, Bangladesh trialed 5G (Teletalk 2021; trials by other MNOs in 2022) and is unifying licensing for next-gen services; commercial 5G remains limited—arguing for private/neutral-host 5G at terminals in the near term.

Target Architecture for a Human-Centric, Resilient “CTG Smart Port”

Layer 0 – Data Governance & Trust (Industry 5.0 lens)

• Ethics, safety, inclusivity KPIs baked into every project (human-centric job design, ergonomics, training).
• Data-sharing policy aligned to MSW, BSW, and a neutral PCS; adopt open APIs (e.g., Port Call Optimization standards).

Layer 1 – Connectivity

• Private 5G-Advanced (Rel-18/19) in terminals for URLLC-grade operations (cranes, AGVs, wearables, computer vision); Wi-Fi 6/7 for non-critical lanes.
• Backhaul diversity: fiber + microwave; pilot non-terrestrial links as they mature (6G/IMT-2030 outlook).

Layer 2 – Edge & IoT Fabric

• Ruggedized edge clusters in each terminal with containerized microservices for video analytics, safety zones, and predictive maintenance.
• Device classes: smart quay cranes (machine data + computer vision), RTGs/AGVs, smart yard slots (UWB/RTLS), wearables for workers, drone docking (visual inspections, spill detection). (See Antwerp-Bruges, Ningbo, Hamburg precedents.)

Layer 3 – Digital Platforms

• PCS + MSW integration: a neutral CTG PCS integrated with BSW/ASYCUDA and IMO-compliant MSW. Start with vessel pre-arrival, berth window allocation, e-gate/visit management, e-berth docs, and cargo release status.
• Port Call Optimization: deploy a Synchronizer/Pronto-like module to reduce anchorage and turnaround times.
• Digital Twin: geospatial model of channels, berths, quay walls and traffic, fusing AIS, metocean, depth, and infrastructure sensors—graduating from situational awareness to simulation for dredging, berth scheduling and asset life-cycle.

Layer 4 – Cybersecurity & Resilience

• Implement IAPH cyber guidelines (asset inventory, segmentation, OT-IT isolation, incident playbooks, supplier controls); tabletop exercises with terminals and customs.

Guiding Principles

1. Human-Centric Transformation (Industry 5.0)

At the heart of Industry 5.0 lies the belief that technology should serve people, not replace them. For CTG, every digital transformation project must prioritize the wellbeing, safety, and empowerment of its workforce.

• Safety & Ergonomics: New technologies such as automation, IoT-driven monitoring, and AI-assisted equipment must be designed to reduce physical strain, prevent accidents, and ensure that workers operate in environments that are safe and ergonomically optimized.
• Skills & New Roles: The shift to digital and cyber-physical port operations demands the creation of new professional categories—digital stevedores who manage AI-assisted cargo flows, port data analysts who extract insights from big data, and 5G-OT engineers who maintain real-time communications across cranes, AGVs, and wearables. Structured training programs and lifelong learning pathways must ensure that existing workers can transition into these roles.

2. Sustainability by Design

CTG’s transformation must integrate sustainability into every decision, aligning port growth with Bangladesh’s climate commitments and international maritime decarbonization strategies.

• Green Operations: All digital initiatives—whether deploying IoT sensors, digital twins, or 5G-enabled cranes—must aim to reduce fuel use, minimize idle time, and cut emissions across the logistics chain.
• Incentivized Efficiency: Just-in-Time (JIT) port calls and berth optimization, proven in Rotterdam and Singapore, must be embedded into tariff structures, rewarding shipping lines and terminals that comply with environmentally responsible practices.

3. Resilience & Security

As ports become smarter, they also become more exposed. CTG must embed resilience and security into the DNA of its transformation.

• Cybersecurity First: All digital systems must adhere to globally recognized standards, preventing disruption from cyberattacks.
• Operational Continuity: Disaster recovery, redundancy planning, and operational resilience strategies must ensure the port functions smoothly even during crises.
• Integrated Risk Management: Security protocols must align with IMO and IAPH guidelines, incorporating both IT and OT layers into a unified defense framework.

Policy Anchors

The CTG transformation roadmap must align with international regulatory frameworks and global standards. These will serve as the bedrock for both compliance and competitiveness:

• IMO Maritime Single Window (MSW): Mandatory from January 2024, requiring CTG’s PCS/MSW systems to integrate with the IMO FAL Compendium and WCO Data Model.
• WTO TFA Article 10.4: Compliance ensures trade facilitation and positions CTG as a globally competitive logistics hub.
• ITU IMT-2030 (6G): To ensure future readiness, all infrastructure investments, including non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and integrated sensing, must anticipate the 6 G horizon.
• IAPH & IMO Cyber Guidelines: CTG’s cyber resilience benchmarks must be set against these global standards.
• DCSA Standards: All carriers and terminal operators must comply with standardized APIs for track-and-trace, electronic bills of lading (eBL), and port call optimization.

Strategic Guidelines

a. Data & Platform Governance

• Establish a Neutral PCS Operator, structured as a non-profit, multi-stakeholder entity to guarantee interoperability, open APIs, and equitable participation.
• Ensure the PCS is fully integrated with the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW) and ASYCUDA World, avoiding siloed platforms and ensuring seamless trade facilitation.

b. Connectivity & Smart Infrastructure

• Deploy private 5G-Advanced networks (3GPP Rel-18/19) across container terminals to support automation, real-time monitoring, and mission-critical IoT use cases.
• Design procurement processes to be upgrade-safe against ITU’s IMT-2030 framework, ensuring smooth migration toward 6G and NTN-enabled operations.

c. Cybersecurity & Resilience

• Adopt the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 for enterprise IT systems.
• Enforce IEC 62443 compliance across all operational technologies (OT), covering cranes, yard equipment, and smart sensors.
• Institutionalize annual cyber drills, red-team exercises, and third-party audits across Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), terminal operators, and customs systems.

d. Human Capital & Workforce Transition

• Embed Industry 5.0 human-centric KPIs—such as training ratios, ergonomic standards, and workforce safety—into every concession agreement with private operators.
• Establish a Port Digital Skills Academy in partnership with technical institutes, designed to continuously upskill workers in data analytics, automation, drone operations, and AI/ML-driven logistics.

e. Environmental Stewardship

• Introduce tariff rebates for Just-in-Time (JIT) arrivals and “green berthing,” rewarding operators who reduce emissions.
• Implement digital twins of port infrastructure and waterways to enable predictive asset management, optimize dredging cycles, and simulate climate resilience strategies.

High-Value Use Cases for CTG (12–36 months)

1. Berth Window & JIT Arrivals Digitally allocate dynamic berth windows; share ETA/ETD/ETB via PCS/MSW; incentives for vessels meeting “green arrival” targets. (Rotterdam/PortXchange evidence).
2. Smart Yard & Crane Ops on Private 5G Low-latency video and PLC telemetry; automated tallying and exception detection; AR headsets for maintenance. (Ningbo-Zhoushan pilots reached >95% recognition accuracy.)
3. Digital Twin-Enabled Asset Management Instrument quay walls and dolphins; detect structural anomalies early; optimize dredge cycles and berth allocations. (Rotterdam digital-twin practice.)
4. Drone-as-a-Service for HSE 5G-connected drones for oil spill detection, perimeter security, and thermal inspection (Antwerp practice).
5. Paperless Gate & Truck Turn-Time PCS-linked appointments, OCR/ALPR, e-gate lanes, real-time TTT dashboards; share slot status with ICDs/CFSs via BSW.

Technology–Use Case–Impact Matrix for CTG Smart Port

The transformation of Chattogram (CTG) Port into a globally competitive Industry 5.0–aligned Smart Port requires a phased and standards-driven deployment of advanced technologies. Each technology family contributes to distinct operational domains while collectively improving efficiency, transparency, and resilience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), Neural Networks (NN), NLP & LLMs

Use Cases

• Predictive maintenance for quay cranes, yard equipment, and power systems.
• Automated cargo tallying and OCR/ALPR for gate operations.
• NLP-driven assistants for customs/MSW documentation.
• LLM-based knowledge platforms for planning, compliance, and decision support.

Impacts

• 15–20% reduction in equipment downtime.
• Truck dwell times reduced by 30–40% through faster gate clearance.
• Workforce efficiency enhanced by AI copilots.
• Safer operations with less manual paperwork and higher human-centricity.

Internet of Things (IoT) & Edge Computing

Use Cases

• Smart sensors for quay walls, dolphins, and dredging basins.
• Worker safety wearables (heat stress, fall detection).
• Real-time location services (RTLS/UWB) for containers and yard slot management.
• Drones with IoT payloads for spill detection and perimeter security.

Impacts

• Accident risk reduction and proactive HSE compliance.
• Container misplacement errors reduced by over 90%.
• Faster quay-wall inspections; extended asset life.
• Greater resilience during weather disruptions.

5G / 5G-Advanced / 6G (IMT-2030 Horizon)

Use Cases

• Private 5G for remote-controlled cranes and AGVs with URLLC reliability.
• HD video backhaul for tallying and surveillance.
• AR/VR for immersive remote maintenance and training.
• 6G: integrated sensing and NTN for offshore vessel connectivity.

Impacts

• 15–25% productivity gain in yards and terminals.
• Reliable continuity even under weak terrestrial coverage.
• Readiness for IMO digital navigation and smart shipping corridors.

Blockchain / Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

Use Cases

• Secure, tamper-proof electronic Bills of Lading (eBL) and cargo release.
• Shared ledgers for container handovers across ICDs, CFSs, and trucking.
• Smart contracts for JIT tariff rebates and performance-linked concessions.

Impacts

• Greater trade transparency and reduced fraud risk.
• Customs clearance times shortened by 20–30%.
• Increased trust with carriers, banks, and insurers.
• Alignment with DCSA eBL standards.

Cloud & Containerized Cloud-Native Platforms

Use Cases

• PCS as an API-first SaaS backbone.
• Digital twin platforms for simulation, asset management, and dredging optimization.
• Integration hub for MSW, BSW, and ASYCUDA.

Impacts

• Economies of scale and lower per-transaction cost.
• Interoperability across agencies and stakeholders.
• Elastic compute capacity during peak demand.

Big Data & Advanced Analytics

Use Cases

• Port call optimization (ETA/ETD predictions using AIS, tidal, and hydrological data).
• CO₂ emission dashboards for IMO GHG compliance.
• Trade-flow analytics for national logistics and Blue Economy policy.

Impacts

• Anchorage time reduced by 15–25% (based on Rotterdam benchmarks).
• Quantified sustainability through CO₂/TEU metrics.
• Evidence-based policymaking and investment prioritization.

Quantum Computing (Long-Term Horizon, post-2030)

Use Cases

• Complex berth and vessel scheduling optimization.
• Quantum-safe cryptography for port–bank–shipping communications.
• Energy microgrid simulations for net-zero terminals.

Impacts

• Breakthrough gains in scheduling and multimodal efficiency.
• Long-term resilience against post-quantum cyber threats.
• Enabler of climate-neutral and energy-optimized port operations.

Synthesis: Roles of Emerging Technologies in Smart Port Transformation

• AI/ML/DL/NN/LLM/NLP: Optimize operations, predict failures, automate decisions, process documentation, and augment human workers.
• IoT & Edge: Provide real-time asset visibility, safety monitoring, and localized intelligence for low-latency control.
• 5G/6G: Deliver ultra-reliable connectivity for mission-critical operations and enable future AI-native networks with integrated sensing.
• Blockchain/DLT: Establish trusted, transparent, and tamper-proof records, aligning with global trade digitalization.
• Cloud & Native Cloud: Provide scalable, modular digital infrastructure for PCS, MSW, and cross-border integration.
• Big Data & Analytics: Transform data into insights for efficiency, sustainability, and policy.
• Quantum Computing: Open the next frontier of optimization, resilience, and climate-focused innovation.

Phased Way Forward

Phase I (0–6 Months): Foundation & Governance

• Issue a national Smart Port policy directive.
• Constitute a Smart Port Program Management Office (PMO) with specialized leads in cyber, data, and human factors.
• Launch a baseline cyber and data readiness assessment.

Phase II (6–12 Months): Minimum Viable Systems

• Deploy PCS/MSW v1.0 with vessel pre-arrival, berth allocation, and customs connectivity.
• Authorize a private 5G pilot at one container terminal.
• Introduce JIT incentives for early adopters.

Phase III (12–18 Months): Expansion & Integration

• Expand PCS to truck appointments, cargo release, and e-gates.
• Scale 5G coverage to full yard and quay areas.
• Run full-chain cyber simulation exercises across agencies.

Phase IV (18–24 Months): Optimization & 6G Preparation

• Institutionalize Port Call Optimization across all shipping lines.
• Begin digital twin implementation for port assets and waterways.
• Publish a 6G readiness roadmap with NTNs and advanced sensing trials.

Governance & Operating Model

• Neutral Operator for PCS: Emulate Portbase—non-profit, regulated access, cost-recovered services; mandate open standards; board seats for terminal operators, customs, line reps, trucking and freight forwarders.
• Cyber Risk Council: Adopt IAPH controls; align with IMO guidance; annual red-team drills across OT/IT.

Human-Centric Change: Industry 5.0 principles in procurement (ergonomics, safety-by-design), with funded skilling programs and new job families (data stevedores, drone ops, 5G OT engineers).

Monitoring & Accountability  (balanced scorecard)

• Trade Facilitation KPIs: % of vessel calls processed via MSW, average customs clearance times.
• Operational KPIs: Truck turn-time, berth productivity, anchorage time.
• Cybersecurity KPIs: MTTR (mean time to respond), % critical assets segmented per IEC 62443.
• Human Capital KPIs: Training completion rates, reduction in safety incidents.
• Sustainability KPIs: CO₂ per container move, % JIT-compliant port calls.

Annual reports on these KPIs shall be submitted to the Ministry of Shipping and published for transparency.

Budget & Sequencing Considerations

• Private 5G first: Where public 5G is nascent, terminal-scoped private networks deliver immediate ROI in safety/productivity; align with 3GPP Rel-18 features now and Rel-19 enhancements mid-deployment.
• Platform leverage: Build PCS/MSW once; reuse APIs across terminals and inland nodes; measure value like Portbase (multi-hundred-million-euro benefits in the Netherlands illustrate the scale).
• Multilateral Development Banks: ADB, JICA, World Bank may support CAPEX for PCS/MSW, 5G, and digital twin infrastructure under trade facilitation and climate adaptation programs.
• Future-proofing: Design edge/twin services anticipating IMT-2030 (integrated sensing, NTN), so upgrades are evolutionary, not forklift.
• Partnerships: Global ports (Rotterdam, Singapore, Antwerp-Bruges) will be pursued for knowledge transfer.

Risks & Mitigations

• Cyber/OT Exposure: Apply IAPH controls; network segmentation; SOC with OT telemetry; supplier hardening; incident exercises.
• Inter-agency frictions: Formalize data sharing in PCS/MSW governance, publish open APIs and SLAs, and align with BSW operators early.
• Change fatigue / skills gaps: Industry 5.0 requires co-design with labor; invest in continuous training, AR-assisted procedures, and safe automation rollout.

Conclusion

Chattogram Port today combines record-setting physical growth with a historic opportunity to digitize. By adopting a human-centric Industry 5.0 approach, anchored in IMO-compliant Maritime Single Window (MSW)/Port Community Systems (PCS), private 5G-Advanced networks, and a robust operational digital twin, the port can convert infrastructure expansion into tangible improvements in efficiency, transparency, and resilience.

Designing with the IMT-2030 (6G) horizon in view ensures that current investments will evolve seamlessly into the next generation of maritime connectivity and automation, avoiding costly retrofits and positioning CTG at the leading edge of innovation.

Global frontrunners such as Singapore, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Antwerp-Bruges have already demonstrated the measurable benefits of digital integration, ecosystem-wide collaboration, and sustainability-driven operations. CTG has the chance to follow and adapt, localize, and leapfrog, establishing a transformation model tailored to Bangladesh’s strategic context.

Under this directive, the port’s digital evolution will ensure that Chattogram emerges as a globally competitive, Industry 5.0–aligned smart port. By embedding human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience into its policies, governance, and daily operations, CTG will accelerate Bangladesh’s trade competitiveness and set a new regional benchmark for smart, inclusive, and future-ready port management across South Asia.

Engr. Johnny Shahinur Alam

Technologist and ICT & Digital Transformation Specialist