About
Portchain offers two flagship products—Portchain Connect and Portchain Quay—designed to modernize how terminals and shipping lines coordinate berth schedules and port operations. Portchain Connect is a berth alignment platform that enables digital handshakes between carriers and terminals, providing real-time updates, configurable sharing controls, and AIS-embedded alerting to stabilize berth windows and increase commitment. Portchain Quay is a scenario-enabled berth planning tool for ports and terminals that optimizes quayside operations, increases transparency, and improves cost efficiency. At the core of the platform is an unrivaled data foundation: live integrations connect operations to source data, while predictive analytics help planners allocate resources, identify infeasible vessel arrival times, and forecast cargo moves and productivity. The network supports Just-in-Time (JIT) port calls—allowing vessels to optimize voyage speed to arrive without waiting—delivering up to 9% in fuel savings and preventing significant CO2 emissions. Since 2022, the Portchain Network has prevented over 800,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to removing 654,922 cars from the road for a full year. With 40%+ of global container terminal capacity and 180+ terminals onboard, Portchain is the berth alignment network of the future for enterprises committed to efficiency and sustainability.
Key Features
- Portchain Connect – Digital Berth Alignment: Replaces spreadsheets and emails with digital handshakes between shipping lines and terminals, stabilizing berth windows and increasing schedule commitment.
- Portchain Quay – Scenario-Based Port Planning: Enables quayside teams to model multiple berth planning scenarios, improving resource allocation and transparency across stakeholders.
- Predictive Analytics & AIS Integration: Leverages real-time vessel tracking (AIS) and predictive analytics to forecast moves, productivity, and flag infeasible vessel arrival times before they cause disruptions.
- Just-in-Time Port Call Enablement: Coordinates vessel speed optimization between carriers and terminals to eliminate waiting time at port, delivering up to 9% in fuel savings and significant CO2 reduction.
- Configurable Sharing & Access Controls: Allows stakeholders to receive real-time, view-only or automated updates with granular control over what information is shared and with whom.
Use Cases
- A terminal operator replaces spreadsheet-based berth scheduling with Portchain Quay to model multiple vessel arrival scenarios and reduce port congestion.
- A global shipping line uses Portchain Connect to digitally align berth windows with terminal partners, reducing vessel waiting time and improving schedule reliability.
- Port sustainability teams leverage Portchain's JIT port call functionality to reduce fleet fuel consumption and track CO2 emissions savings for ESG reporting.
- A terminal and carrier collaborate through Portchain's real-time AIS alerts and automated notifications to respond dynamically to vessel delays without manual phone or email coordination.
- Port planners use predictive analytics within Portchain Quay to forecast cargo move volumes and equipment productivity, enabling smarter resource allocation ahead of vessel arrivals.
Pros
- Proven Sustainability Impact: The Portchain Network has prevented over 800,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions since 2022, offering measurable environmental and operational value.
- Extensive Industry Network: With 180+ container terminals and 40%+ of global container terminal capacity onboard, the platform provides immediate network effects and broad connectivity.
- Real-Time Data Foundation: Multiple integration options keep all stakeholders working from live, accurate source data rather than static spreadsheets or outdated proforma plans.
- Dual-Product Ecosystem: Separate, purpose-built solutions for carriers (Connect) and terminals (Quay) address distinct operational needs while remaining interoperable.
Cons
- Enterprise-Focused Pricing: Designed for large terminals and shipping lines; pricing and onboarding complexity may be prohibitive for smaller ports or operators.
- Niche Industry Application: Purpose-built for container shipping and port logistics—not applicable outside the maritime supply chain sector.
- Network Dependency: Maximum value is realized when counterparties (terminals or carriers) are also on the platform; adoption on both sides is required for full alignment benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Portchain Connect and Portchain Quay?
Portchain Connect is a berth alignment platform designed for both terminals and shipping lines to coordinate berth windows digitally. Portchain Quay is a berth planning tool aimed specifically at terminals and ports to optimize quayside operations with scenario planning and stakeholder transparency.
How does Portchain help reduce CO2 emissions?
Portchain enables Just-in-Time (JIT) port calls, allowing vessels to optimize their speed during voyages so they arrive at port without waiting. This reduces idle engine time, fuel consumption, and associated CO2 emissions—delivering up to 9% fuel savings on average.
What integrations does Portchain support?
Portchain supports multiple data integration options to connect operations to live source data, including AIS (Automatic Identification System) vessel tracking. Specific ERP or TOS integrations are available—contact Portchain for details on your tech stack.
Who is Portchain designed for?
Portchain is built for container terminal operators, port authorities, and shipping lines (carriers) that want to replace legacy planning tools, reduce disruptions, and collaborate more effectively on berth scheduling.
How large is the Portchain network?
As of the latest data, Portchain has over 180 container terminals onboard, representing more than 40% of global container terminal capacity, and has raised $14M+ in investment to expand the network further.
