Smart ports and digital transformation: the future of port operations in the UAE

Abstract

Port operations worldwide are being transformed by the rapid growth of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and digital twins. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made the development of smart ports a top priority in alignment with UAE Vision 2031 and Dubai’s Smart City plan, given the country’s importance as a major logistics and transshipment hub. Nevertheless, there is limited empirical synthesis regarding the impact of digital transformation on the operational and strategic performance of ports in the UAE.