The main objective of this project was to incorporate a set of significant energy efficiency improvements into ports, particularly container terminals. These improvements related to two aspects: first, the logical-operational aspect, boosting the productivity of the port activity; and second, in terms of equipment and energy consumption, which leads to a reduction in operating costs and increases companies’ competitiveness. The project proposed the design and application of a set of methodologies aimed at optimizing the operational planning of container port terminals (CPTs), with the latter understood to comprise four interrelated subsystems: the dock, horizontal transport, storage and reception-delivery. An additional aim was to make a qualitative leap forward in the research into handling and transport technologies. The application of these technologies would enable a significant reduction in the energy consumption of the machinery and equipment used in CPTs thanks to improvements in the efficiency of the machines and by optimizing CPT operating performance.

The development of the project enabled the achievement of the following identified objectives:

• Diagnostic analysis of the energy efficiency of container port terminals (CPTs).
• Developing a system of indicators to measure and prioritize the significant variables of the CPT operating model, addressing the operational and energy-efficiency dimensions.
• Establishing a set of criteria for improvement and action plans aimed at optimizing the overall energy efficiency of the CPTs.
• Sharing project results at national and international level in forums, associations, congresses, etc. in order to ensure wider dissemination of the improvements achieved in the field of CPT operations and energy efficiency.
• Production of a Good Practice Guide.