Asian Development Bank Smart Ports in the Pacific

Annotation

Maritime trade is an essential lifeline for the remote island nations of the Pacific, which rely almost entirely on imports for essential goods. This study aims to foster dialogue among governments and development partners on how to leverage smart ports to support trade, resilience, and more inclusive economic growth across the region. It examines practical applications of smart ports in the Pacific context and explores options to align international best practices with unique local features such as relatively small trade volumes, geographic isolation, and vulnerability to extreme weather events. The study makes recommendations on how to achieve short-term "wins" by implementing technology and business process solutions, and provides a strategic framework for developing more robust smart port ecosystems over time.