Manama: Keith Svendsen, CEO of APM Terminals, underscored the pivotal role of digital transformation and a diverse workforce in driving Bahrain’s logistics sector. In remarks to Bahrain News Agency (BNA) on the opening day of Gateway Gulf 2024, he commended Bahrain’s forward-looking approach to logistics technology. Svendsen praised the diversity and talent of the local workforce, noting that skilled professionals are essential for leveraging advanced technologies.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Svendsen highlighted how digital advancements could streamline logistics to improve and integrate technology platforms within shipping. “While global trade operates efficiently, it relies heavily on fragmented systems and manual processes, with approximately four billion pieces of paper required daily,” he emphasised. Integrated digital platforms, he noted, could significantly enhance visibility and streamline logistics operations across global supply chains.
Artificial intelligence (AI), Svendsen observed, is se
t to be a transformative force in logistics, enhancing planning, reducing manual tasks, and fostering seamless integration across networks. “AI presents a major opportunity for optimising efficiency and creating a more connected supply chain,” he explained.
APM Terminals, he shared, has deployed technologies like digital twins and AI models to improve port operations. The company recently transitioned to solar energy, using an advanced battery and solar optimisation system operated by skilled local professionals, which Svendsen described as “technology-intensive and reliant on highly skilled personnel.”
Svendsen further explained how automation in logistics is creating new opportunities for women in the workforce. “Automation in cranes and machinery has shifted these roles to office-based environments, opening doors for more women to join the workforce,” he noted, pointing out that this shift fosters inclusivity by enabling women to take on roles traditionally dominated by men in port operations.
Expressin
g support for Bahrain’s broader economic vision, Svendsen commended the ambitious plans outlined by Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy, emphasising the role of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable development and nurturing local talent. “Beyond our logistical commitments, a core mission is to develop people, building talent and diversity that extends beyond the sector,” he added. “As technology skills become more transferable, we aim to cultivate expertise that benefits Bahrain’s economy more broadly.”
Svendsen added that AI-driven optimisation could curb the need for infrastructure expansion and reduce environmental impact. “AI allows us to enhance existing infrastructure without constantly expanding or burning more fuel,” he said.