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The Caribbean Port Digitalization Survey 2025, recently presented by the PMAC Digitalisation Working Group at the Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC) AGM in Curaçao, highlighted key insights into the state of digital progress at Caribbean ports. With active participation and candid responses from 20 Port Authorities and Terminals across 17 territories, stakeholders now have a clearer picture of digital progress across the regional port sector and, importantly, the actions required to build on these gains.

Three major highlights from the survey findings provide valuable guidance on future priorities for regional port executives and decision-makers.

Caribbean Port Digitalization 2025: Survey Takeaways

1. Cybersecurity Takes Centre Stage

While Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) continue to rank as a top priority due to their direct impact on operational efficiency, cybersecurity has now emerged as an equally critical concern. The survey reveals a significant increase in ports enhancing their cybersecurity capabilities, with no port reporting zero cybersecurity management. This is an encouraging sign that the regional industry is proactively addressing threats.

This shift underscores an important reality, that as ports become increasingly digital and interconnected, the risk exposure grows proportionately. The clear implication is that investments in cybersecurity training, infrastructure, and robust governance frameworks will need to move higher up the agenda for Caribbean port leaders to safeguard gains made through digitalisation.

2. System Integration Remains a Work-in-Progress

The survey results show substantial progress with implementing key digital systems such as TOS, Maritime Single Windows (MSW), and Port Community Systems (PCS). However, integrated operations, where these systems function seamlessly together, remain limited. While full system integration remains limited across the region, several ports have achieved moderate to high integration levels, representing a promising yet modest improvement.

A strategic opportunity now exists for ports across the region to accelerate their integration efforts. Ports achieving this will significantly enhance their ability to streamline processes, reduce redundancies, and leverage data-driven decision-making. These are key competitive advantages in today’s global trade environment.

3. Investing in Skills and Training is Crucial

The survey highlights positive improvements in training availability, with more ports now offering higher-quality digital skills training. Nevertheless, proficiency in managing organisational change remains relatively low, despite an increase in implementations. This gap highlights a crucial area for targeted action: digital transformation isn’t solely technological; it requires equal attention to human factors such as training, communication, and change management capabilities.

Caribbean Port Digitalization 2025: NEXT STEPS for the Caribbean Port Community

The PMAC Digitalisation Working Group, of which ADVANTUM is proud to be a contributing member, has already identified strategic areas requiring urgent attention:

• Funding: Ongoing collaboration with international and regional funding agencies will be critical to secure necessary digitalisation investments.
• Skills and Training: Expanding PMAC’s Port Operations Certification Training and Accreditation programmes, along with leveraging associate-member expertise through webinars and best-practice exchanges, can help close skill gaps and build human capital.
• Regulatory Harmonisation: Increasing governmental and stakeholder engagement regionally and internationally will support the establishment of consistent regulatory standards and compliance frameworks.

As Caribbean ports continue their digital transformation journeys, collaboration and knowledge-sharing remain vital. Guided by the insights from this survey, the region can confidently move from insight to action, turning digital potential into tangible progress. Essential to this journey will be ongoing partnerships with PMAC’s associate members, whose specialised expertise, proven systems, and industry-leading practices can help Caribbean ports accelerate digital adoption, reduce implementation risks, and effectively navigate the challenges ahead. Stakeholders across the region are therefore encouraged to actively engage with PMAC, its working groups, and associate members, as collectively they build the digitally enabled future of Caribbean ports.

To explore ADVANTUM’s suite of software solutions and see how we are driving port digitalization to streamline operations and boost efficiency, visit advantumpcs.com or book a one-hour live demo to hear directly from our experts on how ADVANTUM can transform your port operations.

Originally published in Portside Magazine Volume 6 September- December 2025.