Prodevelop S.L., in consortium with CENIT, an innovation unit of CIMNE, and local partner WKN Trading Enterprise CC, will support the technical implementation of a digital port call optimisation platform at two ports in Namibia. The project will demonstrate how real-time data sharing across port community stakeholders can reduce vessel waiting times, improve operational efficiency, and support measurable reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships while in port.
The 18-month implementation period for the pilot project, under the Global MTCC Network (GMN) Phase II project implemented by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and funded by the European Union (EU), builds on the pilot announced by the IMO in November 2025 and marks the transition from technology identification to full implementation on the ground. The platform will be deployed at the Ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, where the pilot is anticipated to support up to 7% GHG emission reductions annually for ships while in port. Continuous data collection throughout the pilot will help assess environmental benefits and support consideration of wider adoption across African ports.
The implementation will be carried out by a consortium led by Prodevelop S.L., a Spanish technology company specialised in port logistics and maritime digitalisation, working alongside CENIT, a Barcelona-based research group of CIMNE with a strong track record in EU-funded maritime decarbonisation projects. WKN Trading Enterprise CC will provide essential local support, on-site coordination, and knowledge transfer to Namibian port personnel throughout the project.
The Namibian Ports Authority (NAMPORT), as the primary beneficiary, will participate in the deployment and use the platform at both ports. The pilot will be implemented in close coordination with MTCC Africa, the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre established under GMN Phase I to promote sustainable maritime practices and energy-efficient technologies across the African region.
At the heart of the technical solution is POSIDONIA OPERATIONS – Port CDM module (Collaborative Decision Making), a SaaS based digital platform developed by Prodevelop. The platform enables real-time data sharing among port community stakeholders, including port authorities, terminal operators, shipping agents, pilots, and tugboat companies. This supports better sequencing and management of every vessel call.
The platform implements standardised APIs aligned with the DCSA Just-In-Time (JIT) Port Call Programme and the International Taskforce on Port Call Optimisation (ITPCO). This supports interoperability and replicability across port contexts.
The GHG emission calculation methodology is rooted in the EMEP-EEA guidelines and builds on experience from the European PIONEERS project, with relevant applications in ports including Barcelona (Spain) and the Port of Antwerp and Bruges (Belgium).
The implementation will pursue four core objectives.
- Improve operational performance by enabling real-time data sharing that can reduce vessel waiting times, optimise berth planning, and support more efficient port call processes, helping to reduce unnecessary fuel use while ships are in port.
- Support the measurement and reduction of GHG emissions, with individual pollutant and emission figures (CO₂, NOₓ, SOₓ) quantified per vessel call, aggregated monthly, and benchmarked against a pre-project baseline to demonstrate measurable environmental progress.
- Build staff capacity, with port personnel at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz receiving dedicated training on the CDM platform to support continued use after the pilot period concludes.
- Assess scalability and replicability, documenting lessons learned, operational benefits, and consideration for wider adoption across other African and developing-country ports.
The pilot project is being carried out under the GMN Phase II project, which is implemented by IMO and funded by the EU. The GMN Phase II project supports developing countries, particularly Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), in their efforts to meet IMO’s energy efficiency and GHG reduction targets.
