Automated container terminal: competitive workforce criteria

The global ports are struggling with a manpower shortage, particularly in terms of worker competitiveness. One of the options available to port authorities in these kinds of circumstances is the implementation of fully automated container terminals (ACT). Objectively, the researchers wanted to determine the competitive advantages that the workforce possessed within ACT. As target respondents, ten experts were chosen based on their working experience in semi-automated ports, non-automated ports, shipbuilding firms, and the academic sector. Throughput, the number of ship arrivals, and berthing time were among the quantitative parameters that were considered when selecting the target terminals. The findings demonstrated that the workforce operating at automated container terminals produces higher-quality work. To be a part of the ACT workforce, one must adapt theory to practice, think creatively, be adept at problem-solving, have strong cognitive abilities, and be familiar with automated technology. Additionally, automation is associated with financial benefits, one of which was that the entire terminal profit at the automated container ports was greatly boosted. The result showed that an automated container terminal would need to hire highly skilled workers to maintain its current level of productivity.