PortKIDialog+2035

Project objective

The PortKIDialog+2035 project is developing innovative approaches to support port employees in the effective and safe use of artificial intelligence (AI). The focus is on operational as well as administrative and commercial activities. The project objectives include:

• Analyzing the impact of AI on job profiles and skills in port operations (blue-collar and white-collar occupations).
• Development of a dynamic AI impact analysis tool to continuously assess how AI technologies are changing tasks, skills and qualification requirements.
• Designing and testing AI-powered simulators for large equipment (e.g. container gantry cranes, reach stackers and mobile harbor cranes) to enable realistic, immersive training environments.
• Creating new qualification and training formats that strengthen employees' understanding of AI and their ability to work with intelligent systems.
• Ensuring social acceptance and resilience through participation, transparency and collaboration with partners.

 

Project subject

The ongoing digitalization and automation of German seaports and inland ports is fundamentally changing working environments, job profiles and qualification requirements. AI is becoming an integral part of port operations - from planning and controlling logistics systems to decision support. These developments hold great potential for efficiency and safety, but also require employees to acquire new skills and adapt to changing tasks.

To ensure that people remain at the center of this change, PortKIialog+2035 focuses on the interface between humans and AI in ports. The project investigates how AI technologies influence job profiles, work processes and skill requirements and how interactive learning and simulation environments can support this change.

 

Fraunhofer CML's role within the project

As part of the project, the CML is responsible for

• The scientific design and development of the AI impact analysis tool.
• The definition of KPIs and evaluation metrics (e.g. planning time, CO₂ emissions per TEU, task time saved per role) to record the impact of AI on productivity, quality and resilience.
• Carrying out benchmark analyses with comparable industries (logistics, production)
• Technical and methodological support for the integration and testing of AI-supported simulators for large terminal equipment.

 

Project consortium

The consortium combines expertise from science, technology and industry:

• Development of evaluation frameworks for training effectiveness;
• Transfer of project results to research and university teaching.

Project partners:

• ma-co maritimes competenzcentrum GmbH (coordinator)
• Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA)
• EUROGATE GmbH & Co. KGaA, KG

 

Associated project partners:

• ver.di
• Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS)
• Artificial Intelligence Center Hamburg (ARIC)

 

Funding and Duration

Port KIDialog+2035 is funded by the IHATEC II program of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The project runs from December 2025 to November 2029.