Mersey Maritime Technology & Innovation Forum Explores How Data, AI and Insight Are Reshaping the Port Sector
By Paul Tallon (Innovation Manager – Mersey Maritime) and Simon Eardley (Head of Policy and Innovation – Mersey Maritime)
Mersey Maritime’s November 2025 Technology & Innovation Forum (TiF) brought together leading figures from across the maritime, logistics and infrastructure sectors to discuss the future of ports in the digital age. The session, held in collaboration with Haskoning, placed a spotlight on how digital tools, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are transforming port operations, asset management and sustainability.
The Forum featured expert insights from Richard Willis, Technical Director for Green Ports, and Blair Davidson, Asset Management Consultant, who together presented a compelling overview of Haskoning’s recent work implementing digital twin and predictive analytics technologies across UK and international port clients.
Hosted at Haskoning’s facility in the heart of Liverpool, the Forum also included a roundtable and open discussion, exploring how these innovations align with findings emerging from the Navigating Maritime Innovation project.
Digital Transformation in the Port Environment
At the core of this session was an exploration of how digitalisation and smart technologies are redefining the way ports operate and maintain their infrastructure.
Richard Willis and Blair Davidson presented real-world case studies where digital inspection systems, sensor networks and AI-driven analysis are being used to identify defects in port infrastructure such as quaysides, breakwaters and storage areas.
Traditionally, these kinds of inspections relied on manual surveying and reactive maintenance. However, with machine learning models and digital twins, ports can now predict potential structural failures before they occur, improving safety, extending asset lifespan and reducing costs.
The presenters emphasised that the benefits are not purely technical. By integrating environmental, operational and maintenance data, ports can create a holistic picture of their assets, one that enables better long-term planning and evidence-based sustainability decisions. This approach is also helping clients meet green port accreditation standards and align more effectively with decarbonisation objectives.
Open Discussion and Innovation Insights
Following the main presentations, the session opened into a lively and constructive roundtable. Participants from across the spectrum of the maritime ecosystem engaged in an open dialogue on both the practical and cultural dimensions of maritime innovation.
A recurring theme was how to broaden engagement with innovation, particularly among organisations that are less familiar with R&D processes or traditional funding routes. Delegates discussed ways to create more accessible entry points not only for SMEs and non-traditional innovators, but ensuring that digital transformation opportunities are on the agenda of more established organisations, who clearly have projects primed to benefit from funding, yet are not traditionally aware of opportunities in this space. The discussion also drew on the relevance of digital implementation and the necessity (or perceived necessity) of its implementation in organisations versus the commercial benefit, for example digital twins. This familiar and sought after term, might not mean a fully realised finite model for high computational analysis, but rather simple yet effective incremental changes in systematic practices that can also have as much if not more benefit.
The discussion also drew on emerging insights from the Navigating Maritime Innovation project, which has now identified a regional innovation pipeline exceeding £1.05 billion. This represents a major opportunity for the Liverpool City Region and the wider UK maritime cluster, but as several participants noted, the sector’s demand for specialist and ‘exotic’ engineering talent must be met if this potential is to be fully realised.
Academic and Cross-Sector Collaboration
The Forum also heard from Andrew King, MaLaMi project delivery manager, who provided an update on the ‘Maritime and Last Mile, Place Based Impact Accelerator Account Project or MaLaMi for short. This is a collaboration principally between the University of Liverpool (UoL) and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU). The project exemplifies how academia and industry can work together to deliver data-led maritime innovation with real-world impact.
Insights included reference to the Digital Innovation Facility, a world-class research hub that supports the development of digital tools for mapping and monitoring air quality, vessel emissions and other critical environmental indicators. These capabilities are helping the region to lead in decarbonisation of shipping and port operations, while supporting the growth of smart, sustainable maritime ecosystems.
There is an opportunity to see this cross-sector collaboration in action at the start of December when the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and wider industry will come together for a ‘Maritime Industry Day’ in the city. To find out more and sign-up to attend, visit: Maritime Industry Day – Mersey Maritime
Looking Forward
This TIF event reinforced the importance of digitalisation not just as a technical evolution but as a necessary shift for the maritime industry to stay competitive. By combining data science, predictive insight and collaborative innovation, the sector can unlock new efficiencies, improve environmental performance, and create high-value employment opportunities in the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
As Mersey Maritime’s Navigating Maritime Innovation project continues into 2026, future Forums will continue to explore how cross-sector partnerships can accelerate these advances, linking innovation, sustainability, and skills development into one coherent regional strategy.
Get Involved in Future Events
The Technology & Innovation Forum series continues to provide a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange and insight into the technologies reshaping maritime industries. The next TIF is scheduled for January 2026. More details will be announced soon.
Priority attendance is given to Mersey Maritime members, but interested stakeholders can learn more or register interest around our focus on innovation at:
