An exploratory study on factors that hinder port terminal automation. the case study of Richards Bay

Abstract

This study explores the factors influencing the adoption of automation at the Richards Bay port terminal in South Africa. However, the effectiveness of automation at Richards Bay Port remains unevaluated, as the port faces operational performance challenges. The research investigated the underlying limitations in transforming and implementing digitalisation in the maritime shipping industry to identify the factors influencing the adoption of automation in port terminals. Understanding these factors could lead to achieving operational efficiency and cost savings. Grounded in the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework, the research adopted a qualitative, exploratory approach to gain in-depth insights into the organisational, technological, and environmental challenges that affect automation readiness.