Global Port Automation Market Assessment, By Automation Type [Terminal Automation, Gate Automation, Crane Automation, Yard Automation, Others], By Offering [Hardware, Software, Services], By Operation [Manual, Semi-automated, Fully Automated], By End-user [Port Operators, Shipping Companies, Government Authorities, Logistics and Freight Providers], By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F

Global port automation market is projected to witness a CAGR of 10.12% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 3.75 billion in 2024 to USD 8.10 billion in 2032F, because of the need to alleviate port congestion, reduce human errors, improve visibility in operations, and meet new sustainability standards. Ports across the globe are moving away from traditional manual operations to semi-automated and fully automated operations, enhanced by IoT, AI, digital twins, and automated cranes. This not only increases throughput and safety but also allows for the operation of the terminal 24/7 and less reliance on human labor. Regulatory and environmental pressure are forcing port authorities and logistics companies to construct smarter, greener, and more responsive infrastructure. This means more compliance with carbon emission regulations, better real-time tracking, and improved predictive maintenance with the use of automated systems.

Report Attributes	Details
Base Year	2024
Forecast Period	2025-2032F
Historical Period	2018-2023
Projected Growth Rate	CAGR of 10.12% between 2025 and 2032
Revenue Forecast in 2032	USD 8.10 billion

A global growth is being recognized in the global port automation market that is fueled by ports integrating digital and automation systems to improve throughput, safety, and lower their environmental footprint. The global trade volume is increasing and, combined with a limited labour pool and efficiencies being driven by operational processes, is fueling the investment in smart terminals. This includes automated container handling technology, smart gate systems, remote control hoisting cranes, all driven by artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and cloud infrastructure. Port operators are striving to maximize productive time on berths, decrease vessel turnaround time, and gain supply-chain transparency. Ports are also facing competitive pressures and sustainable goals.

For instance, in October 2024, APM Terminals Maasvlakte II placed a massive order for automated quay cranes from Konecranes. This is evidence of the significant investments a major port operator is making in automation to support the handling of containers at high volumes and at high velocity.

Rising Throughput Demand Drives Global Port Automation Market Demand

The global movement of containers is expanding due to the increasing penetration of e-commerce, the globalization of supply chains, and the rising level of trade in emerging economies. However, ports are faced with limited land area and increasing labor costs, forcing them to seek continued operations through automation. From remotely operated cranes to autonomous vehicles to automated stacking cranes, the development of automated systems relieves ports of their reliance on manual labor, improves safety, and optimizes equipment utilization. Labour shortages caused by an aging and less skilled workforce add to the pressure of automation. These alternatives reduce avenues for human error while maintaining flexibility and enabling ports to accommodate changing volumes of trade and supply chain disruptions.

Rising Sustainability Goals Support Port Automation Market Growth

Sustainability has become a key pillar of global port operations. With tighter environmental regulations and net-zero commitments in many parts of the world, ports are under increased pressure to not only reduce carbon emissions, but also to reduce sound emissions/water pollution, and increase energy efficiency. Automation makes it possible to electrify port operations, opening possibilities for using energy smartly, remote-controlled systems, predictive maintenance that requires less energy, and ultimately less emissions, not only by everything mentioned, but also due to reduced port congestion and truck traffic, thereby lowering the CO2 output. Leading-edge ports are already using AI and ML tools to keep track of single and total emissions in real time, as well as seeing improvements to cargo routing, and determining optimal vessel berthing.

For instance, in September 2024, Liquiport AI's automation of two terminals in Brazil's Espirito Santo and Pernambuco made use of an AI-powered operation, where all logistics processes were automated. This not only increased loading speed, but reduced wait times for truckers and decreased emissions through enhanced logistical workflows. In this case, eliminating inefficient work processes by making workflow more efficient had both broader operational benefits and created more sustainability.

Terminal Automation Dominates the Global Port Automation Market Share

Terminal Automation is the most advanced market segment in the global port automation market because of its direct benefits in speed, safety, and cost savings in cargo handling. Major automation technology groups include automated quay cranes, yard cranes, automated container transport vehicles, and AI integrated terminal operating systems (TOS). These solutions are particularly important for ports serving mega vessels and while dealing with specifically constrained dock space and labor. Terminal automation focuses on core (and significant) bottlenecks in operations instead of simply automating the basic functions of the dock and gate functions in gate or yard automation. This ensures that the Return on Investment will be high. Automated ports are also better able to enhance data collection and performance analysis, like the collection and analysis of GDP, data points will assist port managers in their roll-out of continuous improvement models as part of their planning.

For instance, in April 2024, Paradip Port begins tech modernization in the port in India, committed to a modern program of terminal automation to facilitate full or comprehensive updates and changes. Paradip Port developed a widespread modernization for terminal automation based on increasing efficiency with cargo containers, relieving cargo vessel back-up and congestion in the port itself, and preparing for a sustained IW recovery process. This reflects the systematic fact that ports are prioritizing technology, dock, and eventual terminal-level automation technology, to create (or support) an artificial neural network (ANN) capable, provisioned, and flexible to ensure port resilience.

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Asia Pacific Dominates the Global Port Automation Market Size

The Asia-Pacific has become the focal point of expansion in the worldwide port automation industry. The countries with the largest share of global container traffic (e.g., China, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea) are actively investing in automating port terminals, because of expanding container traffic, the build-out of infrastructure for increased port reliability, and government-supported smart port initiatives. Accordingly, these countries are advancing technology adoption (e.g., artificial intelligence, internet of things, robotics, and digital twins) to drive throughput improvement, safety improvement, and environmental performance from the road to the port. Top ports such as Shanghai, Busan, and Singapore are both regional and global leaders of next-generation automation technology.

For instance, in April 2025, Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure landed a major contract to supply its advanced AutoMoor technology at one of the world's leading container terminals in China. Together, Trelleborg and the leader of maritime and international shipping will be commissioning the first automated mooring system at a port in China, which will establish a new local standard in port automation and efficiency.

Report Scope

“Global Port Automation Market Assessment, Opportunities and Forecast, 2018-2032F”, is a comprehensive report by Markets and Data, providing in-depth analysis and qualitative and quantitative assessment of the current state of the global port automation market, industry dynamics, and challenges. The report includes market size, segmental shares, growth trends, opportunities, and forecasts between 2025 and 2032. Additionally, the report profiles the leading players in the industry, mentioning their respective market share, business models, competitive intelligence, etc.

Report Attribute	Details
Segments Covered	Automation Type, Offering, Operation, End-user
Regions Covered	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America and Middle East and Africa
Key Companies Profile	Konecranes Plc, ABB Ltd., Cargotec Corporation (Kalmar), Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH, ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.), Siemens AG, TMEIC Corporation, Trelleborg AB, Orbcomm Inc., CyberLogitec Co., Ltd.
Customization Scope	15% free report customization with purchase
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail the customized purchase options to fulfill your precise research needs
Delivery Format	PDF and Excel through email (subject to the license purchased)

In the report, the global port automation market has been segmented into the following categories: 

• By Automation Type
  • Terminal Automation
  • Gate Automation
  • Crane Automation
  • Yard Automation
  • Others
• By Offering
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Services
• By Operation
  • Manual
  • Semi-automated
  • Fully Automated
• By End-user
  • Port Operators
  • Shipping Companies
  • Government Authorities
  • Logistics and Freight Providers
• By Region
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
  • South America
  • Middle East and Africa

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The competitive scene is composed of global industrial conglomerates and maritime technology companies that offer full-stack automation solutions. Competitors compete on technology innovation, integration capacity, service support, and geographic scope of deployments. Many vendors offer modular systems of automation that suit various terminal/port sizes and allow adoption in phases or parts. Competitive advantage comes from strategic alliances with port operators, integration of AI/IoT, and products that focus on sustainability.

CK Hutchison Partners with CyberLogitec, in March 2025. CK Hutchison selected CyberLogitec's automation and TOS capabilities for its terminals throughout Asia, signaling its faith in CyberLogitec's capacity to provide a scalable, software-driven solution to port operations. The partnership exemplifies the growing reliance and influence that digital automation providers have on the modernization strategy for ports.

Key Players Operating in the Global Port Automation Market are:

• Konecranes Plc
• ABB Ltd.
• Cargotec Corporation (Kalmar)
• Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH
• ZPMC (Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.)
• Siemens AG
• TMEIC Corporation
• Trelleborg AB
• Orbcomm Inc.
• CyberLogitec Co., Ltd.

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