Portwise at TOC Europe 2025: Practical Insights into Smarter Terminal Design and Operations

Portwise will be present at TOC Europe 2025, contributing to the conversation on the future of port operations through both the main conference programme and the Safety Village Pavilion. With decades of international experience in terminal simulation, automation, and electrification, Portwise continues to support ports and terminals worldwide in building smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable operations.

Mainstage: Yvo Saanen on Outcome-Driven Terminal Optimization

Dr. Yvo A. Saanen, Managing Director and Founder of Portwise, will speak on how the port industry can move beyond rigid automation towards more agile and effective operations. His session will focus on the shift from rule-based systems to Objective-Oriented Operating (3-O) Systems—a new approach to terminal control that centres on achieving operational outcomes rather than enforcing fixed workflows.

Drawing from over 25 years of experience in terminal design and simulation—including work on major automated terminals in Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Long Beach—Yvo will provide clear, real-world examples of how to align digital systems with business objectives.

Topics covered include:

  • The limitations of current automation systems in achieving strategic goals

  • How 3-O Systems enable terminals to make real-time trade-offs between KPIs

  • The role of emulation and simulation in testing and improving performance

  • Practical implications for software design and procurement strategies

This session is especially relevant for terminal operators, planners, and technology buyers who want to future-proof their operations in a changing logistics landscape.

Pavilion Talk: Terminal Safety in the Context of Illicit Trade

In addition to the main session, Dr. Isabelle van Schilt, Principal Consultant at Portwise, will speak at the TOC Safety Village Pavilion on the risks posed by illicit trade within terminal environments. Her presentation highlights how operational complexity in ports can be exploited by criminal groups and what this means for safety and decision-making on the ground.

While safety is not Portwise’s core business focus, our simulation expertise provides valuable insights into how such risks emerge and how they can be better understood and addressed. The session will touch on:

  • The strategic position of terminals in global illicit supply chains

  • The safety risks associated with criminal activity in terminal operations

  • How simulation can support awareness, scenario testing, and preventive measures

Meet Us at Booth A36

Portwise will be available throughout TOC Europe at Booth A36. Whether you’re planning a greenfield site, looking to upgrade your current terminal systems, or exploring electrification strategies, we welcome you to stop by. Our team will be happy to discuss how simulation, digital planning tools, and operational modelling can support your terminal’s development goals.

If you’d prefer to schedule a meeting in advance, please feel free to get in touch with us—we’d be glad to set aside time for a focused conversation.

We look forward to reconnecting with colleagues, clients, and partners in Rotterdam!

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