Digital Maturity Assessment Tool
The Digital Maturity Assessment Tool (DMAT) is supporting (inland) ports to assess their digitalisation readiness. It is a self-assessment tool for port authorities and/or operators to evaluate the implementation of digital tools and technologies in ports.
The DMAT is part of the Sustainable Development Module (SDM) for the Green Inland Ports Environmental and Sustainable Management Systems. The project has also developed digitalisation guidelines providing tailored recommendations for ports to become more sustainable with the implementation of more advanced and integrated digital tools.
The DMAT consists of five levels of digital maturity. Each of the five maturity levels includes an assessment of five dimensions, with scores ranging from 0 to 4, based on predefined criteria explained in the tool description and in Chapter 4.1 of the Digitalisation Masterplan for inland ports and terminals (to be published soon).
Once all twenty-five dimensions are assessed, DMAT automatically calculates the Digital Performance Index (DPI), which quantifies a port’s digital maturity level. The DPI score corresponds to the following maturity levels:
| DPI Score |
Digital Maturity Level |
| 0-20% |
Level 1 – Minimal or no digital tools |
| 21-40% |
Level 2 – Basic digital tools |
| 41-60% |
Level 3 – Connected infrastructure |
| 61-80% |
Level 4 – Digital collaboration |
| 81-100% |
Level 5 – New services and business models |
Ports can consult the Digitalisation Guidelines (Chapter 5 of the Digitalisation Masterplan for inland ports and terminals, to be published soon), which provide tailored recommendations for each digital maturity level. Based on the port’s current digital maturity level, its needs and strategic plans, ports can implement measures from the guidelines to advance digital maturity levels.
Your DPI score was % giving a Digital Maturity Level of
Level 1 - Minimal or no digital tools
Level 1 represents the starting stage of digital maturity of inland ports, where the degree of deployment of digital tools and systems is either very limited (basic) or non-existent. The port relies heavily on manual processes, with basic IT infrastructure (such as networked personal computers or laptops, internet, etc.) in place, but with minimal or no use of advanced digital tools. The digitalisation guidelines advise you on how to develop a solid and tailored digitalisation strategy so as to set a solid foundation for your development direction.
Level 2 - Basic digital tools
Level 2 includes ports that ventured into the basic digitalisation of routine administrative tasks, such as preparing digital bills and invoices, implementation of software for calculating fees and tariffs, submission and processing of customs declarations with digital tools, use of digital systems for managing cargo-related paperwork (e.g. bills of lading, cargo manifests, etc.), or that are deploying partial digital automation of administrative tasks without digitalisation of port infrastructure. The digitalisation guidelines advise you how to create a connected operational environment by integrating different digital technologies, such as Internet of Things enabled systems, real-time monitoring tools, and introduce a basis Port Community System.
Level 3 - Connected infrastructure
Level 3 includes ports that have started equipping their facilities with relevant sensors (primarily IoT sensors), so that those facilities can be monitored and controlled. Connected infrastructure provides ports a basic digital capability to streamline port operations and reduce associated costs. The digitalisation guidelines advise you on how to achieve advanced collaboration among stakeholders by expanding and advancing the capabilities of the Port Community System introduced in Level 3.
Level 4 - Digital collaboration
Level 4 involves the possibility of sharing data not only internally, but also with other port stakeholders and external stakeholders such as forwarders or carriers (logistic companies, rail operators, trucking companies, etc.), cargo owners, and so on. Practically, this means that various port stakeholders can create better planning conditions for themselves, having a real-time and data-supported overview of the situation with the cargo and its transport, handling and storing, and improved supply chain visibility. The digitalisation guidelines provide measures for ports to capitalise on advanced digitalisation technologies, integrate into wider digital ecosystems, and create additional businesses and accompanying revenue streams, reaching Level 5 of digital maturity.
Level 5 - New services and business models
Level 5 is called new services and business model. The design and implementation of new services and business models require connected infrastructure and digital collaboration as its main foundation pillars. These services and business models can be offered to users by port managers or operators themselves, by other stakeholders on behalf of the port, or these can be fully outsourced to third-party providers.