Building Tomorrow’s Sustainable Port
“Connecting the world. Building tomorrow’s sustainable port.”
These aren’t just words on paper, they capture the ambition and urgency behind the work at the Port of Rotterdam. We recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Saskia Mureau, Director Customer Digital at the Port of Rotterdam, for a deep conversation on how digital innovation and sustainability are transforming one of the world’s most important ports.
At Teqplay, we have had the honor to invited many maritime industry leaders and experts for a conversation. See all of our discussions here.
Twin transition: sustainability and digitization
A key theme of our discussion was the twin transition: the interplay between the green transition and digital transformation. Digital tools such as digital twins, data sharing, and operational APIs allow ports and shipping companies to make more informed decisions, eliminate inefficiencies, and measure emissions more accurately.
This isn’t just about technology. It’s about rethinking collaboration across an industry that is vast, global, and fragmented.
The Green Corridor
One of the most ambitious initiatives Saskia shared is the Green Corridor between Rotterdam and Singapore. With 80% of global trade moving along the Asia–Europe route, focusing on this corridor makes sense.
The aim is to address the “chicken-and-egg” problem of clean fuels. Cargo owners, ship operators, regulators, and fuel producers must align around long-term commitments if new fuels like methanol or ammonia are to scale. The corridor is about orchestrating this systemic change—bringing all stakeholders to the table.
In support of this, Rotterdam has also launched incentives like waiving port dues for vessels using greener fuels, complementing initiatives such as ZEMBA (Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance).
From data to action
Clean fuels are only part of the puzzle. Operational efficiency is equally critical.
Saskia underlined the importance of shifting from documents to data elements: shared, standardized, and trusted information that reduces friction and miscommunication.
She also pointed to pilots in areas like digital bunkering, ship-to-shore communication, and just-in-time arrivals, where startups play an essential role in proving and scaling solutions.
Systemic change: who is responsible?
A recurring question in the industry is: who is responsible for systemic change? Everyone knows that JIT sailing, for example, can save fuel, reduce emissions, and improve reliability. Yet, as Saskia highlighted, “everyone is talking about just-in-time sailing, but no one is actually doing it.”
Why? Because JIT requires synchronized action across many stakeholders:
Shipping lines must share reliable schedules.
Terminals need to adjust berthing windows.
Pilots, tugs, and service providers must align their availability.
Cargo owners must plan with flexibility.
No single actor can deliver JIT alone. It demands trust, data sharing, and a willingness to break out of siloed operations.
Systemic change in maritime logistics means shifting from fragmented, individual optimizations to ecosystem-wide performance improvements. And that requires collective commitment.