The 5G-LOGINNOV project, funded under the European Union’s H2020 programme has unlocked transformative opportunities for the logistics industry, particularly in port operations. The project, which concluded last year, recently published a white paper exploring strategies for assessing stakeholders’ expectations and needs during the business model development and the subsequent solution implementation processes. The white paper was a coordinated effort led by all the project partners, led by the coordinator and ERTICO Senior Manager Dr Eusebiu Catana.
“The integration of startups and SMEs within broader 5G-LOGINNOV ecosystems has proven transformative, fostering innovation and scalability while facilitating adaptation to complex market landscapes”, said Dr Eusebiu Catana. “Additionally, the exploration of 5G infrastructure’s broader significance as a catalyst for experimentation and innovation has led to the emergence of new business models, highlighting interconnectedness, while emphasizing the critical importance of adopting a global sustainability perspective beyond mere operational efficiency”, added Dr Catana.
Given the escalating global demand for freight transportation, the emergence of 5G communication networks offers a promising technological solution. Alongside complementary technologies, 5G enables seamless collection, integration, and dissemination of extensive datasets from various sources. To ensure the widespread adoption of innovative products and services facilitated by 5G, engaging diverse stakeholders across the logistics value chain is of key importance. Leveraging 5G’s advanced capabilities, stakeholders can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and optimise operations.
The white paper provides a comprehensive overview of the project’s three testbeds in Koper, Hamburg and Athens ports, detailing specific technological choices such as Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), cybersecurity measures, network slicing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration. It analyses and compares the performance of various use cases implemented using 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA) architectures.
The main insights from the project are categorised into three key areas: technical, operational, and business. From a technical standpoint, 5G’s high-speed data transfer, low latency, and massive connectivity enable the creation of new and improved services and products, particularly crucial for ports in urban areas. Operationally, the synergy between 5G, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and artificial intelligence (AI) opens new paradigms in port operations, paving the way for concepts such as synchro modality and the physical internet. From a business perspective, 5G’s characteristics enhance existing business models and enable the integration of complementary technologies beyond those currently in use. Notably, 5G’s disruptive potential extends beyond enhancing existing business models to pave the way for new business models aligned with the “Many-1-Many” (M1M) paradigms, fostering collaboration among multiple stakeholders and enabling the creation of innovative solutions.
Ultimately, the white paper describes the project’s valuable insights into the long-term sustainability and viability of the developed business models, derived from experience and lessons learned during implementation. Moving forward, these findings will guide future endeavours in leveraging 5G technology to drive innovation and efficiency in the logistics industry.
Read the White Paper at this link, by visiting the 5G-LOGINNOV website.
