Maritime Industry Briefing: AI Logistics Innovation and Cold Ironing Milestone at Gioia Tauro

## Maritime Industry Briefing ### Westwell Advances AI-Driven Port Logistics at WAIC 2026 Chinese intelligent logistics technology firm Westwell made its ninth consecutive appearance at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) on 17 July 2026, showcasing what the company describes as a full-stack, AI-native intelligent logistics ecosystem built on a 'Physical AI + Operational AI' dual architecture. According to Port Technology, the company used the Shanghai-based event to demonstrate the global industrial deployment of its AI platform, which it has branded 'AI Dual Intelligence.' The architecture is designed to bridge real-world physical operations — such as autonomous port vehicles and cargo handling equipment — with higher-level operational decision-making systems, creating an integrated layer of intelligence across logistics workflows. Westwell's continued presence at WAIC underscores the growing convergence of advanced AI development and port automation, a trend that is reshaping terminal operations worldwide. The company's platform is positioned to address increasing demand for efficiency, safety, and throughput optimisation at container terminals as global trade volumes remain under pressure. --- ### Port of Gioia Tauro Completes First Cold Ironing Test on Mega Containership In a significant step for shore power adoption in the Mediterranean, the Port of Gioia Tauro has successfully completed its first cold ironing operation on a mega containership, supplying the vessel entirely from the shoreside electricity grid. Port Technology reports that the Southern Tyrrhenian and Ionian Sea Port System Authority, led by President Paolo Piacenza, confirmed the trial involved the MSC Mirja — one of the world's largest containerships. Cold ironing, also known as shore-to-ship power or alternative maritime power (AMP), allows vessels at berth to shut down their auxiliary engines and draw electricity from the port's grid, significantly reducing air pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions in port areas. The successful test marks a milestone for Gioia Tauro, one of the Mediterranean's busiest transshipment hubs, and aligns with the European Union's FuelEU Maritime regulation, which mandates the use of shore-side electricity for container ships at EU ports from 2030. The trial with a vessel of this scale demonstrates the technical feasibility of cold ironing for the largest class of containerships currently in service, providing a template for wider rollout across major European terminals. The development reflects broader industry momentum toward decarbonising port operations, with cold ironing increasingly viewed as a near-term, practical tool for reducing the environmental footprint of shipping at berth.