2026 Port of the Future Conference

The US Center for Maritime Innovation is a new national research, development,
and demonstration
projects supporting maritime innovation in a range of potential subject areas.
The scope of interest
includes all types of vessels, port/port facility, and other marine
transportation issues and covers the
diverse issues of interest in different geographical regions of the country.
David Walker and Dan Yuska
provide an update to its strategic research priorities and progress in its
initial innovative
initiatives.

The United States lacks a discernible strategy to adequately control, manage,
or profit from most forms
of commercial maritime activity. Its shrinking influence over the construction
and ownership of ships,
the operation of ports, and the flow of goods through intermodal means, the
U.S. has been relegated from
maritime world leader to reluctant participant; trailing its allies and
dangerously lagging behind its
adversaries. The U.S. commercial fleet is in rapid and precipitous decline,
seriously impacting national
security.

The weak state of the U.S. maritime industry risks National
Security in five major
ways: significant shortfall of military support vessels from the commercial
fleet; wasteful government
support programs creating “Zombie assets”; significant foreign ownership of
the U.S. maritime sector;
growing vulnerabilities from emerging technologies; and the rise of China as a
maritime power.

A small and weak U.S. commercial maritime industry weakens
U.S. Economic Security
through: threats to the U.S. dollar dominated international trade; loss of
critical influence over
commercial shipping – a critical node in global trade; the same loss in
influence over shipping can
serve as a catalyst for an inflationary crisis; growing foreign influence over
U.S. critical
infrastructure sectors; and an estimated $6 trillion missed Blue Economy
opportunities.

A small and weak maritime sector represents significant risks
for U.S. energy and
food security given the particular requirements of moving energy and food in
specially adapted vessels
(primarily tankers and bulk carriers). This panel discussion focuses on the
key points of: lack of
consensus over U.S. energy mix; shortage of U.S.-controlled vessels risks U.S.
Energy and Food Security;
vulnerability to foreign ownership of key food security assets; weak U.S.
leadership over future fuels
in shipping; and the risk created by a small U.S. fleet for a rules-based
international order for energy
and food security.

The shipping industry is at the mercy of a changing ocean and
is an important driver
of environmental change. Without a strong U.S. commercial fleet, the
transition to less harmful shipping
operations is likely to be slower at the very time when the pace of change
needs to accelerate to avoid
irreversible planetary tipping points. A strong U.S. maritime industry is a
powerful catalyst for
change.

There is no U.S. maritime industry without U.S. mariners –
both as a shoreside
workforce and on vessels. The shortage of U.S. mariners presents a major
threat to U.S. security. This
presentation fosters a discussion on minimal needs (vessels and credentialed
U.S. mariners) during
peace, during war and in the “Future Competitive Fleet.”

ZeroPointFour offers a 57-Point U.S. Maritime National Action
Plan intended to spur
discussion, transform the U.,S. maritime industry and form the basis of a
National Maritime and Blue
Economy strategy to guide decision-making across all key agencies that touch
the ocean. These points are
intended as a beginning – not a limit to dialogue and actions to that end.
This session is intended as
an open discussion, engaging participants to voice recommendations and
challenges to improve the status
of the U.S. maritime sector.

For decades, congestion has been treated as an inevitable
cost of doing business: anchorage as a pressure valve, truck
queues as a fact of life. This talk argues that a genuine “port of the future”
must adopt a far more radical design criterion – no
queues, anywhere.
Using real case studies and emerging digital tools in
container, bulk, and energy terminals, the session will explore dynamic
slotting,
just-in-time arrival (JIT-A), cross-modal appointment systems, and integrated
PNT/ETA management. The aim is to show how
anchorage and yard queues can become rare exceptions rather than the norm. The
Louisiana International Terminal project is a
significant public-private investment of $1.8 billion, with construction
expected to begin in 2025 and an anticipated opening in 2028. This project aims to enhance the supply chain for container
shipments

The Louisiana International Terminal project is a significant
public-private investment of $1.8 billion, with construction
expected to begin in 2025 and an anticipated opening in 2028. This project
aims to enhance the supply chain for container
shipments on the Mississippi River and its tributaries, potentially creating
over 17,000 new jobs statewide by 2050. The terminal will
be located in Violet, Louisiana, and will serve vessels of all sizes,
dramatically increasing Louisiana’s import and export capacity. The
project is designed to leverage extensive transportation connectivity,
including interstate systems and railroads, to facilitate
efficient logistics. The terminal is expected to handle between 180,000 to
280,000 containers in its first year of operation.
Additionally, the project incorporates sustainability measures and community
input into its design.

Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) is a joint venture by
Navergy Infrastructure Partners, formerly Pilot LNG, and Seapath
Group to develop, own and operate the first dedicated small-scale liquefied
natural gas (LNG) facility on the U.S. Gulf Coast to serve
the growing clean-energy marine fuels market.

Located on the Texas City Ship Channel in the Texas City industrial area, GLBP
will supply LNG by fuel barge to the rapidly expanding
fleet of LNG-fueled vessels in the greater Houston-Galveston region. It is
optimally located to serve major ports, including Port
Houston, the Port of Galveston and the Port of Texas City

The Ballenas Regasification Project is a strategic initiative led by
Transportadora de Gas Internacional (TGI), aimed at
strengthening the security and reliability of natural gas supply in Colombia
through the incorporation of liquefied natural gas (LNG)
import, storage, and regasification infrastructure in the Caribbean region.

The project includes the implementation of an offshore regasification terminal
based on a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit
(FSRU), located in waters near the Ballenas area, in the department of La
Guajira. This technical solution provides a flexible and
efficient response to natural gas deficit scenarios, complementing domestic
production and mitigating risks associated with climate
variability, field decline, and operational contingencies.

At the crossroads of digital transformation and maritime logistics, Trinidad
is ready to become the next
strategic location for high density AI infrastructure. This presentation will
unveil how the island’s
unique convergence of ultra-low energy cost – powered by a nearby 720 MW
plant, direct seawater access
for efficient cooling, and dedicated subsea cable systems to the United States
creates an unmatched
environment for data center innovation.

This presentation outlines how Trinidad’s strategic energy infrastructure is
transforming the country
into a launch pad for hyper scale operators, redefining the role of ports in
the digital economy and
unlocking new opportunities for diversification, global connectivity and
technological growth.

SeaTrain ™ ‘s gliders are innovative, modular submersible
cargo gliders powered by a patented variable buoyancy
propulsion technology for commercial, defense and energy applications. This
unique system allows gliders to move quietly
underwater without engines, fuel, or emissions. Their autonomous, unmanned
operation eliminates crew costs and enhances
safety. The modular nature enables automotive-style mass production in
shipyards, allowing rapid scaling to fulfill national
strategic objectives.

The integration of automation, digitalization and IoT (Internet of Things)
devices is enhancing the efficiency and reliability
of intermodal transportation. The use of digital platforms to increase
coordination and sharing of real time information between
vessels, ports, rail, and trucking agents is crucial for enhancing intermodal
connectivity, improving the efficiency of cargo
movement, and contributing to sustainability and resilience of freight
transportation networks.

Glīders operate autonomously on private rail networks, bypassing the
complexities of public road regulations while
maintaining cutting-edge safety standards. By seamlessly transitioning between
road and rail, Glīders eliminate bottlenecks at
congested ports and yards, revolutionizing freight transportation speed. This
rail-based solution reduces road congestion and
accidents while meeting the highest safety standards set by rail authorities.
Fully electric Glīders deliver superior range and
efficiency compared to traditional diesel trucks, dramatically reducing
operational costs and environmental impact.

The REGENT Viceroy “seaglider” is a proposed electric-powered
wing-in-ground-effect vehicle under development by
REGENT Craft Inc. of Rhode Island. The Seaglider has a 65 ft wingspan and
operates exclusively over water in three modes —
floating on the hull, foiling above the waves on hydrofoils, and flying in
ground effect close to the surface of the water.

Its load capacity of 3,500 pounds (1,600 kg) can be carried on flights of up
to 180 miles (290 km) over coastal waters, with
retractable hydrofoils used during the take-off run. Customer deliveries are
expected to commence in 2026 to 2027.

This session explores how ports and their intermodal partners
can evolve from fragmented, legacy-based operations to
connected, intelligent ecosystems that improve flow across vessel, yard, gate,
rail, and trucking. Drawing on a decade inside major
port environments, this presentation highlights why awareness, not automation,
is the defining capability of the next decade.

A live demo featuring a 3D-printed mini port with real sensors, PLCs, and
asset tags will show how legacy and modern systems can
work together in real time across the intermodal chain. Attendees will walk
away with practical insights into how to modernize
without disruption and build a more resilient, connected, and intermodal port.

Intermodal Freight Transportation (IFT) accounts for 10% of
the United States’ total emissions, a number which is
expected to grow due to recent increase in e-commerce. This sector runs
entirely on petroleum fuels due to the high costs required
for transition. A plethora of new fuels and energy sources to tackle this
challenge does exist (e.g., biofuels, e-fuels, hydrogen,
ammonia, battery electric, etc.). Optimizing the fuel-mix deployment to
minimize cost of transition will be crucial for successful
transition of IFT.
This presentation introduces an IFT decision-support
tool that combines the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM), a market
equilibrium model developed at PNNL, with multi-modal route planning to
comprehensively evaluate the impact of various present
and future fuels on the overall IFT system. This is a first of its kind
capability that combines rail, road, and maritime container
shipping models for whole-system cost and emissions reduction. The outputs
from the tool include the optimal fuel-mix choices,
optimal freight modes and routes, and their associated cost and emission
metrics.

The Government Accountability Office issued a report to Congressional
Committees in March 2024 on “Port
Infrastructure: U.S. Ports Have Adopted Some Automation Technologies and
Report Varied Effects.”
Representatives from the GAO will speak on the report’s research process,
findings, and recommendations.

U.S. ports’ ability to efficiently move containers into and out of terminals
is crucial for the U.S.
economy. In 2020, coastal ports handled cargo that accounted for nearly half
of U.S. trade. Faced with
increased container volumes and supply chain challenges, some ports in the
U.S. and abroad have adopted
automation technologies to improve performance and increase capacity.

With the acceleration of globalization and the rapid development of
international trade, ports have
become important hubs for logistics transportation, directly impact the
efficiency of the entire supply
chain and economic development. Enhancing Port Logistics efficiency has become
a focal point for many
countries.

Adopting electronic bills of lading (eBLs) can transform trade by streamlining
processes, improving
security, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable trade
practices. Estimates show that
replacing all paper-based bills of lading would save an estimated $6.5 billion
in direct transaction
costs with the capacity to facilitate up to $40 billion in global trade.

The container industry currently operates at 5 percent eBLs and has committed
to operating at 100
percent by 2030. This will be a massive transformation in just a 5-year
period. This transformation will
also require standardization of maritime terms, and IMO initiative, to create
a common global maritime
language.

This panel discusses how businesses and ports can best prepare for the digital
transition from
paper-based to eBLs.

As many port operations look to modernize their information technology applications and infrastructure, one primary challenge exists; disparate systems. With many ports in operation for 50+ years, adding software and systems for independent business functions has become a common practice. These standalone systems and applications have resulted in silos of data across the business. Advancements in Cloud Technology and business applications have removed barriers and offered the opportunity for an integrated application ecosystem. This session will explore some of the ways (Port of Port Arthur) have modernized and transformed their various business applications into a unified environment.

DSWi is a Microsoft Dynamics Partner with 20 years of experience implementing and supporting Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Along with the core ERP system they have developed a Port Manager solution within this cloud platform that offers an array of tools to manage vessel calls from the initial berth application through departure, final billing and financial statement preparation. This session will explore the various ways DSWi has helped (Port of Port Arthur) break down these silos and transform their digital landscape.

This panel, moderated by Boldyn Networks, brings together leaders from three
major U.S. ports to discuss
why they are exploring private managed networks and the critical use cases
driving this transformation.
The discussion will focus on the use of private networks to improve
operational resilience and
cybersecurity in high-risk environments and the enhancement to ports’
real-time data exchange for vessel
traffic, cargo handling and in emergency response.

Key Use Cases will include IoT-enabled Asset Tracking for containers
and equipment; Secure
Communications for critical infrastructure and emergency operations;
Automation and Remote
Monitoring to improve efficiency and reduce downtime; and Video
Surveillance and AI
Analytics for perimeter and cargo security.

Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones (IIEZ) are the Business Model and Investment Foundation. Zones may be centered around ports and include: Resilient Electrical Grids (Edge sensors, switches, digital transformers, inverters), Broadband for All (Fiber, 5G, 6G, 7G, WiFi, Public Safety); Intelligent Transportation (Lidars, Radars, cameras, DSRC); Data Exchanges (Processing, Security, Privacy); Edge Computing (Sensor processing, Spatial Computing, environmental sensors, RF monitoring); Terrestrial GPS (UltraWideband, DGNSS, DT); 21st-Century Data Economy; and more. Port officials who clearly understand the challenges and opportunities presented in IIEZ can significantly increase their operational effectiveness and financial revenue.

Join Michael Complita from Elliott Bay Design Group as he explores how
forward-thinking marine engineering are
breathing new life into port cities and waterfront infrastructure. As seaports
evolve to meet the demands of sustainability, resilience,
and economic revitalization, EBDG engineers are pushing the boundaries of
what’s possible, designing innovative floating assets that
redefine traditional uses of waterfront space.
From a pioneering floating data center to floating clean power solutions, all
developed on barge platforms, this session highlights
unique case studies demonstrating how creative engineering can catalyze port
development and community transformation.
Attendees will gain insights into how engineered marine systems can contribute
to port revitalization strategies, support
decarbonization goals, and create flexible, resilient waterfront assets that
foster economic activity and community engagement. This
presentation underscores the role of innovative vessel design and maritime
engineering in shaping the Ports of the Future.

This case study highlights Honeywell Port Solution’s use of low voltage
systems meticulously engineered to transform
conventional ports into state-of-the-art smart ports. By seamlessly
integrating advanced telecommunication, data, voice, and security
technologies, Honeywell facilitates robust communication and heightened
operational efficiency across the entire port ecosystem.
These solutions offer reliable connectivity via both wired and wireless
networks, real-time data management, and unified system
integration, forming the cornerstone for next-generation port automation and
digital transformation.

The integration of robotics in shipbuilding is transforming
the industry by automating repetitive and labor-intensive tasks,
enhancing precision, and accelerating production timelines. Key applications
include welding, cutting, material handling and painting
with robotic systems offering unmatched precision and reducing errors.
Augmented reality is also used to visualize complex designs
and follow precise instructions during assembly to ensure production meets
quality standards and engineering specifications. These
advancements are part of a broader trend towards smart shipyards, where
automation, intelligence, and environmental responsibility
are driving competitiveness and sustainability in ship production.

Port operations run on precision, and access to weather data
and forecasts are a critical piece of that puzzle. While
techniques for weather data have expanded in recent years with
higher-resolution numerical prediction models, satellite
deployments, and on-ship weather monitoring, there are critical gaps in legacy
weather models and weather apps. As ports push for
greater efficiency, sustainability, and safety, outdated forecasting models
are no longer good enough.

Economic losses from storm-related port disruptions have been in the 10s
of millions USD per day and the negative impacts on port
operations from inaccurate forecasts can be measured in millions of dollars in
lost efficiency per year. MarineLabs’ coastal
intelligence helps mitigate hundreds of those occurrences per year. Through
deployment of scalable real-time sensor nodes combined
with AI, MarineLabs’ hyper-localized metocean forecasting correctly predicts
up to 23% more port operation work shifts that could be
impacted by weather and cause operational downtime. Optimizing and
streamlining operations makes ports more efficient, keeping
global supply chains moving and contributing to economic growth.

In this session, Dr. Scott Beatty will showcase a side-by-side comparison of
Forecast AI against traditional models currently used in
port operations and discuss how real-time weather data and hyper-local
AI-driven forecasting is actively helping ports and maritime
operators reduce chances of accidents and improve efficiency, which also leads
to GHG reductions. Attendees will walk away with a
clear, quantified picture of how access to real-time coastal weather data and
hyper-local AI metocean forecasts can reduce
downtime, minimize supply chain disruption, reduce fuel usage, improve safety,
and save on costs.

In recent months, a significant number of large corporations, ship carriers,
transport companies and
major solution providers have quietly backed out of commitments made to
achieve a Zero Carbon Footprint.
Achieving” Net-Zero” is found to be expensive and difficult. While over five
hundred companies worldwide
pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, only 4 percent are on track to
achieve these goals. This
presentation addresses the reasons for this Zero-Emission rollback – what went
right and what is
hindering the Net-Zero initiative.

The adoption of hybrid vessel technology is gaining traction in the maritime
industry due to its ability
to reduce emissions, lower fuel costs, and enhance operational performance.
Hybrid systems combine
conventional diesel engines with battery power, reducing fuel consumption and
operating emissions. These
systems are being used in various vessel types, including RoRo and RoPax
ferries, tugs, research
vessels, and other special-purpose ships. The trend includes advancements in
battery technology,
increased use of fuel cells, and retrofits of existing ships.

Hybrid electric power systems allow for lower horsepower options and more
compact engines, providing
OEMs and vessel owners with an array of options to optimize their fuel or
power choice based on energy
preference and fuel availability.

Independent of the choice of alternative marine fuels, an approximately 30
percent vessel emission
reductions may be reached through Marine Fuel additives, hull cleaning, hull
and propeller coating, use
of AI in voyage systems, – and there is no compelling reason to wait.

Wind propulsion in modern cargo vessels is not necessarily
emblematic of a by-gone
age. Wind-assisted propulsion
systems (WAPS) are increasingly being used by ship operators to reduce power
demand by 20% and up to 60%
with route optimization, reduce fuel consumption, meet energy efficiency
regulations and minimize carbon
emissions. Panel members
discuss new designs and advances in wind propulsion technology enhanced by
Artificial Intelligence.

As ports accelerate their transition toward net zero, the complexity of
multi-vector energy system
planning is growing. With mounting pressure from regulatory frameworks – in
the EU, for example, brought
in through the EU Green Deal and Fit for 55 – and from ports’ own net zero
commitments, maritime
stakeholders must make strategic decisions that balance sustainability,
cost-efficiency and operational
resilience.

In their transition to alternative fuels (electricity, hydrogen, propane,
methanol, etc.), trucking
companies evaluate market trends, technological advances in heavy engines, and
the cost of low carbon
emission fuels. An additional concern in the transition to alternative fuels
is the ready availability
and access to fuel pumps and charging stations. Ports have a hand in ensuring
that these facilities are
available to support drayage operations in their region

Propane improves air quality at our nation’s ports while reliably supporting
global trade logistics.
Propane refueling infrastructure is affordable, scalable, and readily
available for the nation’s
alternative fuel corridors. Propane keeps ports running by powering backup
generators and prime power
for cold ironing, charging, and other large industrial applications. Propane
can be used to power port
tractors, forklifts, soon reach stackers, empty container handlers, and
rubber-tired gantry cranes.

Amid decarbonization efforts, the demand for LNG as a marine fuel has grown
significantly. The lifespan for LNG is likely to
be longer than anticipated. However, LNG bunkering infrastructure lags in
ports. This gap is expected to grow, not abate in the next
five years. LNG bunkering infrastructure can impact port competitiveness,
measured as a port choice probability.
The panel discusses challenges and
possible solutions to the LNG expansion both in port and on-board vessels,
with an eye to yard
space, safety considerations, redundancy measures, backup systems, training,
and shore power expansion for bunkering

The United States is advancing the creation of domestic and international
green shipping corridors in
support of the effort to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions from the
international shipping sector by
2050. This panel discussion focuses on the creation of green shipping
corridors in the Caribbean.

Ports are high-value targets for cyberattacks because of critical
infrastructure with complex,
interconnected systems, sensitive data, and high disruption potential. Unlike
ordinary businesses, ports
cannot afford downtime — making port systems more likely to be targeted.

The Port of Pascagoula has been singularly successful in establishing a clear
roadmap for security port
infrastructure. This case study examines Port Pascagoula’s proactive approach
which maximized use of
federal resources, tailored assessments, and best practices. Port Pascagoula
established a
cost-effective cybersecurity program in alignment with NIST’s Cybersecurity
Framework. It established
realistic goals to improve its security posture, while positioning itself to
meet new cybersecurity
regulations for the Marine Transportation System. It effectively improved its
cyber resilience without
incurring significant financial burden.

As the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) implements new cybersecurity regulations for
the Maritime Transportation
System (MTS), port leadership faces a critical juncture in safeguarding
operational technology (OT),
information technology (IT), and supply chain systems against evolving cyber
threats. This panel will
explore the strategic implications of the new MTS Cyber Regulations, offering
actionable insights for
port executives, facility security officers (FSOs), and IT leaders.

Key topics will include understanding the rapidly evolving threat landscape,
aligning cybersecurity
programs to meet regulatory requirements, and integrating risk-based
approaches into port operations.
The discussion will also focus on the importance of aligning to national and
international frameworks,
ensuring a consistent and comprehensive approach to managing cyber risks in
the maritime sector.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how to balance compliance with
operational efficiency
while fostering a culture of cyber resilience across the maritime industry.

The security and sustainability of our ports is vital to the economies of a
free world. Maritime technologies are
advancing and enhancing commerce through inclement weather, ensuring safety of
navigation “post-incident” with digital
hazard detections, and sustaining viable marine habitats throughout dredging
and industrial operations. With every good
application malicious actors are developing a parallel effort.
Technology-enhanced, uncrewed platforms are capable of
disrupting maritime commerce, mapping marine resources for competitive
advantage, and tracking vessel movement
statistics for nefarious purposes.

Autonomous systems, digital mapping, machine learning and AI applications are
at your fingertips to facilitate the security
and sustainability of maritime port operations in both permissive and
non-permissive conditions. In this discussion we will
explore opportunities to counter the negatives while enhancing the positives
of these evolving capabilities. Our desired
end-state is awareness of just how powerful MDA-technologies can be in
sustaining, protecting and enhancing the bottom
line of any maritime port facility.

In today’s digital threat landscape, cyber extortion incidents are escalating
in frequency and
complexity. This session offers a behind-the-scenes look into the high-stakes
world of ransomware
negotiations. Drawing from real-world experience handling threat actor
communications, participants will
explore tactical, psychological, and strategic approaches to drive favorable
outcomes—often under
immense pressure and within legal constraints.

Through the lens of crisis response, attendees will gain actionable insights
on how seasoned negotiators
engage with threat actors while preserving organizational integrity, managing
regulatory risks, and
aligning responses with evolving threat intelligence. This session demystifies
common misconceptions,
presents negotiation archetypes, and highlights lessons learned from the
trenches to build confidence
and competence in future incident response engagements.

SeaPort Manatee, one of Florida’s fastest-growing deepwater ports, has
partnered with Siemens to
modernize its security operations with a fully integrated access control and
video surveillance system.
The upgrade features SiPassintegrated and Siveillance Video to enhance
situational awareness across the
port, automate compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations, and reduce
processing times for cargo and
personnel by 80%. Key to the success of the new port security system is
extensive advanced customization
to increase functionality and incorporate TWIC verification.

The maritime coastal security of the United States poses a significant
challenge due to the vastness of
its coastline and the complexity of its maritime borders. With approximately
95,000 miles of coastline,
360 ports, and 3.4 million square miles of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),
securing the country’s
maritime borders presents a formidable task. The coastline along the Great
Lakes adds an additional
4,530 miles, and the country shares maritime borders with Canada to the north
and Mexico to the south.
This panel will explore how highly relevant and rapid Research and Development
can close capability
gaps, related domain awareness, law enforcement, search and rescue,
environment protection.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection partnered with Brand USA to do Global Entry
mobile enrollments in Japan and South
Korea as part of Brand USA’s sales missions in Asia. The goal is “to implement
a continuous flow of travelers to the greatest extent
possible while maintaining the integrity of the CBP inspection process. By
processing travelers on the move and without the need to
stop, while properly segmenting travelers, CBP’s objective is to reduce
processing times, improve the traveler experience, and increase
throughput.”

USCBP has processed over 576 million travelers using facial biometrics for
identity verification at air, land, and sea and captured
2,059 impostors who tried to fraudulently enter the United States

An overview of recent notable dredging operations and case
studies
highlighting innovation, introduction of specialized equipment, and
advancements impacting project
design and operations

Modern ports depend on continuous dredging and sediment
management to maintain safe
navigation and operational efficiency. The challenge lies in managing large
and diverse data from surveys,
sensors, and models. This presentation introduces the Channel Explorer, a
framework within BMT Deep that
integrates hydrographic, environmental, and marine traffic data into one
digital environment. Developed as
part of BMT’s Adaptive Dredging program, it automates data ingestion,
analysis, and visualization to
support sedimentation assessment and long-term channel monitoring. The talk
will focus on how the system
was architected to handle data integration, automate survey comparisons, and
enable predictive analysis to
support adaptive and sustainable port operations.

A panel introduces the latest in equipment and systems used in
surveying and dredging
operations. The discussion includes the use of surface and sub-surface
equipment and Unmanned Aerial
Systems in dredging operations.

Sludge accumulation is a natural process impacting port
operations and efficiencies, degrading the lifespan of port
infrastructure, and limiting access by cargo vessels over time.
Presenters provide an in-depth discussion on the use of subsurface drones and
advanced bathymetric survey technologies to obtain
accurate and actionable data, laying the groundwork for effective tailored
solutions. They will further discuss upgrades to hydraulic
dredging services that provide systematic and environmentally responsible
solutions to sludge accumulation in ports, harbors, and
channels. The data collected is used to develop a research-based maintenance
plan tailored to address the specific needs and
challenges of each port – while ensuring the long-term sustainability of port
infrastructure.