CHESSCON User Event 2021 – A review

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After the first digital CHESSCON User Event in October 2020 we invited for a second event in February 2021. Our goal was to create a platform where terminal experts could exchange information and ideas. And we are very happy that this format has been so well received. Thanks to all speakers for their engagement and the exciting presentations and to all guests for the good discussions.

For all those who did not participate in the CHESSCON User Event 2021, we are happy to provide the presentations on demand.

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Digital port as base for big pictures

Prof. Dr. Holger. Schütt speaks in the online interview about the digitalisation as a base for big pictures which will allow you to revolutionise your port processes. He explains why digitalisation is an ongoing process!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a view at your container terminal like if you look out of the window? A 3D-view of your terminal is not just a game, it is a vital opportunity to vividly improve your port economics.

Enjoy the interview from Black Sea Ports & Shipping Conference 2020 in Instanbul (postponed to 2021) about digital port opportunities.

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First CHESSCON User event 2020 – A review

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On 29 October, we invited interested parties and customers to our first digital user event about our CHESSCON applications. More than 20 terminal and port experts from Asia, Africa and Europe took part in the deep digital exchange via Microsoft Teams. Götz Anspach von Broecker of AIRBUS Defence & Space GmbH offered an impressive introduction with his keynote coming from space to terminals.

The future port empowered by space technology

The presentation of von Broecker gave a brief overview, how space business already influences the logistics sector with already existing standard services. And it illuminated the processes and tools used in space since decades which become now interesting in the frame of the Industry 4.0 and IOT age, even to be copied and applied by the logistic sector. Von Broecker showed that teleservice/telecontrol, global connectivity, cybersecurity and multi-user coordination, as well as “digital twin”, autonomy and robotics are applied at space. Since decades,  these  are available for re-use to  mutual advantage of the logistics  business field, too.

CHESSCON 9.0 with detailed 3D visualisation

After this, Oliver Jelsch (Director Sales and Business Development) and Horst-Dieter Kassl (CDO) from akquinet port consulting gave an overview of the new features of CHESSCON 9.0. Kassl presented the new and improved 3D objects directly in the life system. Realistic optics in the new version 9.0 include for example reflective water, new models of ships, trucks, forklifts, quay cranes and even individual car models. Also, the realistic shadows create a perfect virtualization of the terminal, which is very close to a digital twin of the operational TOS. The CHESSCON simulation tool has also been further developed in response to numerous customer requests. Here too, 3D simulations are now possible, including “in-time-moving” equipment. Customers can thus switch between 2D planning and a detailed 3D simulation. In CHESSCON Yard View, car terminals or mixed car/container stacking areas can now also be developed and visualized in 3D. The cars, vans, lorries, trucks or even tanks can be selected in detail by brand, model and type. An Automated Yard Crane Database Interface and a Crane Automation System (CAS API) were developed for Navis N4, but are also available for other TOS, too.

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The Most Important Elements of a Cybersecurity Strategy

cybersecurity-port-logistics-blog-akquinetFrom system hardening and network zoning to active security monitoring

This blog article reproduces the presentation by Ralf Kempf at the event “Cybersecurity for Maritime Infrastructures” organized by Maritimes Cluster Norddeutschland e.V. (“Northern German Maritime Cluster”, held October 30, 2019, in Bremerhaven).

Today, cyberattacks on companies can easily cause damage in eight or even nine figures. Such attacks often take the form of spam e-mail, written with perfect spelling and grammar, that appears to have been sent by a colleague or a friend. The recipient is usually instructed to click a link or enter a password. And then it’s already too late: The malware spreads throughout the company.

Yet companies can protect themselves even against such professionally prepared attacks. I repeatedly encounter cases where companies spend lots of money on physical access protection, but leave all doors wide open when it comes to e-mail. If someone wants to enter the building, they have to show their ID – but anyone can gain access via e-mail or USB stick. There will always be an employee who clicks an enticing link – that’s just human nature – but it’s negligent for companies to give them the opportunity to do so in the first place. IT security can be vastly improved with just a few, very simple security precautions. You could prevent e-mails with Office attachments from being delivered right away, for example. Instead, these e-mails could initially be placed in quarantine for review. Another simple step is the deactivation of macros. In short, companies should always ask the following key question:

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Smart Digital Ports (#SDP) of the Future – Review and takeaway

smart-port-port-logistics-blog-akquinetIn Rotterdam 4th – 6th Nov 2019

Last week’s #SDP conference in Rotterdam has been packed with loads of content into two days with quite some takeaway for the more than 250 visitors. As a kick-off for the conference Port of Rotterdam presented their way forward and how they are one of the leading ports when it comes to digitization and smart port approaches.

So what are the learnings or is the takeaway from this conference?

1. The market around the ports and terminals is not waiting!

The global forwarders and customers of the shipping lines are not waiting until the port industry has made their way towards integrated, smart and data driven solutions. Things everybody is already used to in the day-to-day online shop, are expected to become normal in the logistics chain on a business level as well. So everybody ordering things on Amazon or other platforms expects to get the tracking ID immediately after ordering automatically. This is what is expected at the business level in the supply chain as well by the forwarders. Also the liners (and their vessels) as the main customers of ports are moving ahead. They start optimizing the routing using data analytics and connected data to minimize e.g. fuel consumption or waiting time (or both). This also requires more interactive and connected approach for ports towards the vessels. Connectivity and data exchange across the borders of the different parts of the supply chain are necessary.

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