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2nd Place2024 • Hamburg Harbour Hackathon

Hamburg Harbour Hackathon – AI Traffic Management

2nd Place finish developing an AI-driven traffic management system for port logistics. Applied data-driven approaches to solve complex logistical challenges with machine learning-based optimization algorithms.

Competition Winner

2nd place out of 47 teams in 48-hour intensive hackathon

Data-driven Logistics

Real-time analysis of port traffic patterns and optimization strategies

ML Optimization

Advanced algorithms for traffic flow prediction and route optimization.

Project Media

Featured Image

2nd Place – Winning moment

Project Gallery

Traffic dashboard view
Route optimization
Heatmap visualization
System architecture

Deep Harbour: Executive Summary

Date: November 2019 • Presented by: Baharat, Daniel, Michele, Yuan & Vesselin

Problem

The global port ecosystem suffers from chronic inefficiencies, primarily due to a persistent imbalance of container supply and demand. This leads to port congestion and broader supply chain bottlenecks.

  • Long Container Dwell Times: Containers (both empty and full) remain idle, consuming valuable terminal space.
  • Slow Truck Turnaround: Inefficient scheduling causes queues, delays, higher costs, and pollution.

Solution: Deep Harbour – AI‑Powered Dynamic Port Logistics

Deep Harbour is an intelligent platform designed to optimize port operations by dynamically managing container flow.

  • Traffic Forecasting: Advanced AI predicts high and low traffic periods within the port.
  • Dynamic Pricing: Real‑time price adjustments incentivize off‑peak pickups and deliveries, smoothing demand and reducing peak congestion.

The Technology: Predictive AI Model

At the heart of Deep Harbour is a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) using a Long Short‑Term Memory (LSTM) architecture, implemented in TensorFlow, forecasting port traffic from multi‑factor inputs.

  • Container import/export rates
  • Real‑time traffic conditions
  • Time and seasonality
  • Weather forecasts
  • Truck availability
  • Haulage distance

Key Platform Components

Executive Dashboard

Real‑time insights into forecasts, queues, and dynamic price index.

Cargo Owner's Booking Tool

Instant quotes and price tendency visualization for smarter booking.

Freight Forwarder's Marketplace

Live job marketplace to optimize fleet utilization and reduce empty miles.

Strategic Innovation: Hub & Spoke Model

  • Establish off‑port logistics hubs for efficient drop‑off/pick‑up of containers.
  • Use optimized, high‑frequency shuttle runs between hubs and the main port to decouple long‑haul trucking from port gates.

Value Proposition

  • Improved Asset Utilization: Benefits trucking companies and terminal operators.
  • Balanced Supply & Demand: Reduces bottlenecks and improves flow across the port.
  • Smarter Transport Planning: Empowers cargo owners and freight forwarders with efficient scheduling.
  • Reduced Turnaround Time: Less waiting, lower costs, and significant emissions reductions.

Deep Harbour represents a crucial step toward modernizing port logistics — making operations more efficient, sustainable, and responsive to real‑time demand fluctuations.