A Value Chain Analysis of a Seaport from the Perspective of Industry 4.0

The main aim of this study is to reveal the role and contribution of Industry 4.0 in the value chain of seaports. It first reviews the literature to identify value chain activities in the port industry. It then explores the Industry 4.0 applications utilised by ports through content analysis of the websites of ten major innovative seaports. Seven main technological characteristics of Industry 4.0, namely digitalisation, autonomisation, transparency, mobility, modularisation, network-collaboration and socialising, are used as the main research main categories. The findings show that ports engage with Industry 4.0 in four different modules namely port community systems, cyber-physical systems, internet of things and big data. These four modules enable ports to achieve cost leadership advantages in their quest for competitiveness. To achieve differentiation, on the other hand, they need to increase connectivity with customers and stakeholders through communication channels such as social media.