Port authority bulletin

The TT Club Port Authority Bulletin October 2025 addresses the evolving risk landscape confronting global port authorities. As critical nodes in international trade, ports face unprecedented challenges from geopolitical instability, energy transition, climate change, digital transformation, and increasingly large vessels.

Emerging risks and strategic responses

Geopolitical disruption has triggered cargo rerouting and congestion, whilst rising tariffs inflate equipment costs and threaten maintenance schedules. The energy transition demands investment in shore power, equipment electrification, and infrastructure for offshore wind and hydrogen sectors. Meanwhile, ship sizes continue expanding, straining ageing port infrastructure originally designed for smaller vessels.

Digital transformation through Ports 4.0 technologies - including IoT, AI, and automation - promises enhanced efficiency but requires substantial investment, workforce upskilling, and robust cybersecurity measures. Climate change intensifies risks through rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and temperature extremes that challenge asset durability and operational continuity.

The bulletin explores practical solutions including NAABSA (not always afloat but safely aground) berth management, which requires regular surveying, dredging, and incident protocols to prevent hull damage claims. Energy security planning has become essential, with ports needing resilience strategies for power outages that could cripple digital systems and electrical equipment.

Innovation features prominently, with Rotterdam's Smart Bollard technology demonstrating how embedded sensors can monitor mooring line loads in real-time, preventing catastrophic failures. Gothenburg's Digital Port Call system exemplifies just-in-time scheduling benefits, reducing emissions by 6,000 tonnes annually through optimised vessel speeds and coordinated operations.

Project cargo handling, particularly offshore wind components, presents significant infrastructure risks requiring detailed engineering assessments and clear contractual liability frameworks. Transport & logistics operators and cargo handling facilities face heightened exposure without proper planning. Dublin Port's SafePort initiative demonstrates how unified safety standards across terminal operators can transform port-wide culture through collaborative working groups and clear safety protocols.

TT Club continues supporting members through claims management services, best-practice guidance, and tailored insurance solutions during this period of industry transformation.

Key takeaways

• Port authorities must adapt to five major risk drivers: geopolitical instability, energy transition, ship expansion, digital transformation, and climate change
• NAABSA berths require rigorous surveying protocols and incident management systems to prevent costly hull damage claims
• Smart technologies like intelligent bollards and digital port call systems enhance safety whilst reducing environmental impact
• Project cargo operations demand comprehensive engineering assessments and clear contractual liability definitions
• Power outage resilience planning is critical as ports become increasingly dependent on electrical and digital systems
• Collaborative safety initiatives can successfully raise standards across entire port estates through shared protocols and peer engagement

Frequently asked questions

What are the main risks ports face from climate change?
Climate change threatens ports through rising sea levels, intensified storms, flooding, extreme temperatures, and infrastructure stress. These impacts require flexible infrastructure design, upgraded drainage systems, and revised operational thresholds for wind and heat resilience.

How do Smart Bollards improve port safety?
Smart Bollards contain embedded sensors that continuously measure mooring line loads, direction, and angle in real-time. This data enables immediate response to dangerous conditions, prevents line failures and ship drift, and provides valuable information for predictive maintenance and infrastructure investment decisions.

What makes project cargo handling high-risk for ports?
Project cargoes pose risks through potential infrastructure overloading from heavy weights, business interruption from slow-moving specialist equipment, and safety concerns from unfamiliar operations. Ports need detailed engineering assessments, clear liability contracts, and appointed competent persons to manage these risks effectively.