Portwise at CTAC Asia 2026
Portwise joins Asia’s terminal technology conversation
Portwise will attend CTAC Asia 2026, taking place on 8 and 9 September 2026 at the Chatrium Grand Bangkok in Thailand. The event brings together more than 200 port and terminal leaders for two days of keynotes, panels, workshops and networking focused on terminal automation, digitalisation, sustainability, cyber resilience and operational performance.
For Portwise, CTAC Asia is an important meeting point. Across Asia, container terminals are facing a complex set of decisions. Volumes continue to shift, vessel sizes and call patterns place pressure on quay and yard operations, labour availability differs strongly per market, and investment decisions must be made with a long-term view. At the same time, automation and digital technologies are developing quickly, but not every solution is suitable for every terminal.
That is where the conversation needs to become practical.
From ambition to operational reality
Many terminals are asking the same questions. Where should automation start? Which part of the operation creates the strongest business case? How can brownfield terminals modernise without disrupting daily performance? What data is needed to make better decisions? And how can technology support safety, sustainability and service levels at the same time?
These questions are central to Portwise’s work. Since 1996, our consultants have supported port authorities, terminal operators and connected logistics organisations with simulation analysis, conceptual design, automation reviews and operational decision support. Our role is to help terminals move from strategic ambition to tested, realistic and futureproof plans.
At CTAC Asia, this perspective will be represented by Yvo Saanen, who will speak as part of the conference programme. Yvo brings decades of experience in terminal design, simulation and automation strategy. His contribution will focus on the practical decisions terminal leaders face when evaluating automation and technology, especially in environments where operational continuity, investment risk and long-term flexibility all matter.
Why this matters for Asian terminals
Asia is home to some of the world’s most dynamic port and terminal markets. The region includes large transhipment hubs, gateway terminals, fast-growing inland connections and brownfield sites that must modernise within existing constraints. This creates a strong need for technology choices that are not only advanced, but also operationally sound.
A successful automation strategy starts before procurement. It starts with a clear understanding of the terminal’s current performance, future demand, physical layout, labour model, equipment strategy, data maturity and commercial objectives. Simulation and modelling can help test these factors before decisions become expensive and difficult to reverse.
This is why Portwise believes that automation should never be treated as a stand-alone technology project. It should be part of a wider terminal development plan that connects operations, people, systems, equipment and long-term capacity.
Meet Portwise in Bangkok
CTAC Asia 2026 offers terminal leaders a valuable opportunity to compare ideas, challenge assumptions and learn from real implementation experience. The agenda includes themes such as automation readiness, brownfield automation performance, data-driven decision making, cyber risk, landside flow and decarbonisation.
Portwise looks forward to meeting port authorities, terminal operators, technology partners and other stakeholders who are working on the next step in terminal performance.
Whether your terminal is exploring first steps in automation, reviewing a brownfield modernisation path, assessing future capacity, or validating an investment plan, we welcome the opportunity to exchange views in Bangkok.
Meet Portwise at CTAC Asia 2026 and join Yvo Saanen’s session to discuss how simulation, operational expertise and practical automation planning can support smarter, more efficient and more sustainable terminals.
More information on the agenda can be found here.