Interview originally published by Seanews. Authored by Shahjahan Ahmed, Publisher.
PortXchange is transforming port calls with live emissions tracking and Just-in-Time coordination, helping ports cut idle time, reduce fuel burn, and meet decarbonisation goals through actionable, data-driven decision-making.
The shipping industry is at a breaking point. Rising carbon costs, stricter regulations, and mounting pressure from customers mean ports can’t afford to run on spreadsheets, siloed data, and a “that’s how we’ve always done it” mentality anymore. I wanted to speak with Sjoerd de Jager, Managing Director & Co-Founder of PortXchange, because he’s not just pointing out the cracks in the system—he’s building tools to fix them. His company, spun out of the Port of Rotterdam in 2019, is pushing ports to trade data paralysis for climate accountability. With its EmissionInsider and Synchronizer platforms already shaping operations across the globe, PortXchange is turning operational decisions into climate decisions. In an industry famous for its resistance to change, that feels nothing short of revolutionary.
For those unfamiliar, how would you describe what PortXchange does and the problem it solves in the global shipping and port operations industry?
Sjoerd de Jager (PortXchange):
We’re here to end the chaos. Ports today operate on fragmented data, outdated systems, and way too much guesswork. That creates inefficiencies, delays, and a ton of unnecessary emissions. PortXchange empowers ports and shipping stakeholders to take control with real-time emissions intelligence and smart coordination tools that reduce idle time, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions. We’re not here to throw charts at ports. We’re a climate tech company built to drive real-world action, not just insight.
PortXchange spun off from the Port of Rotterdam’s PRONTO initiative, which you helped develop. How did that transition shape PortXchange, and how has the platform evolved since becoming an independent company?
Sjoerd:
PRONTO was the beginning and we’re genuinely grateful for it. It proved that better coordination in port calls isn’t just possible, it’s essential. But within a public port authority, you inevitably hit limits. To scale globally, move faster and build something truly transformative, we had to break out.
So in 2019, we spun off as PortXchange, initially launching with Synchronizer and PilotTracker tools that tackle one of shipping’s biggest inefficiencies: uncoordinated port arrivals. Synchronizer enables real-time collaboration between ships, terminals, and service providers to reduce idle time and support Just-in-Time sailing. PilotTracker streamlines pilot scheduling, keeping all stakeholders aligned with fewer calls and less chaos. Together, they laid the foundation for data-driven, efficient port calls.
EmissionInsider came next, expanding our focus from coordination to full emissions intelligence tracking and analysing Scope emissions across vessels, terminals, trucks and rail. Our research, published in the PortXchange Untapped JIT Potential whitepaper, shows that if the global container shipping sector adopted Just-in-Time arrivals, it could cut total annual CO₂ emissions by around 5% which is approximately 17 million tonnes every year. That’s purely from better speed management to match berth availability, without changing fuel types or ship design.
That said and this is important the Port of Rotterdam remains a key partner. They believed in us early on and still use our solutions to drive their own operational and environmental innovation. That partnership keeps us close to real-world complexity while we build for scale.
Today, EmissionInsider is our leading platform, giving ports real-time visibility into emissions across ships, terminals, trucks, and rail. It’s helping ports move from static reporting to live emissions intelligence that they can act on. Alongside that, Synchronizer continues to drive Just-in-Time coordination, cutting idle time and improving operational flow.
We’re also investing in a dedicated innovation hub, partnering with ports that want to go further from predictive energy demand modelling, to green corridor pilots, to deep Scope 3 tracking. This isn’t about incremental change. It’s about building what the industry actually needs next. We’re not waiting for the industry to evolve. We’re building the tools that force it to.
Can you walk us through how PortXchange collaborates with ports, shipping lines, and terminal operators to optimise port calls?
Sjoerd:
Port calls today still suffer from siloed communication, late updates, and last-minute changes that lead to anchorage delays and wasted fuel. Synchroniser fixes that by connecting vessels, terminals, pilots, tugs, and agents in a shared, real-time data environment. The result? Predictive ETAs, live status updates, and coordinated decision-making so no one’s left guessing who’s ready when.
And we’ve proven it works at scale. Our Untapped JIT Potential analysis showed that across 323 port calls, Just-in-Time arrival could cutonnes of CO₂ and save over $6 million in bunker costs annually for a single carrier at one port.
At the Port of Algeciras, for example, using Synchronizer reduced idle time per vessel call by almost 40% and cut an average of 32.9 tonnes of CO₂ per call.
We’ve also seen how ignoring coordination costs money. In one Genova–Valencia voyage, failing to adjust speed for an updated JIT slot wasted $13,000 in fuel and emitted 50 tonnes of avoidable CO₂.
Our platform doesn’t just send alerts. It aligns incentives and enables collaborations. We’re here to make Just-in-Time sailing a default, not a pilot project.
Because if you can plan better, you can sail cleaner. And that’s a win for ports, operators, and the planet.
What kind of data integration or connectivity is needed to onboard a new port or client to your system?
Sjoerd:
We don’t need a data science lab or a six-month IT project. If a port has AIS data (ship positions), terminal operations data (actual loading, unloading, and berth activity), or even just scheduling data (planned vessel arrival and departure times), we can get started.
Our platform is modular, API-first, and system-agnostic, enabling us to connect quickly and work with the systems a port already uses. Ports are under pressure they don’t have time to rebuild their tech stack just to decarbonise. We meet them where they are, plug in, and help them get more value from the data they already have.
We also follow recognised, industry-standard methodologies for emissions calculations, including the IMO’s guidelines, TNO’s models in Europe, and the EPA’s MOVES4 framework in the US. That means the results aren’t just numbers on a chart, they’re credible, regulation-ready outputs that ports can use for strategy, compliance and reporting.
Where do you see the biggest impact of PortXchange so far, in terms of reduced emissions, better scheduling and cost savings?
Sjoerd:
All of the above, but if I had to pick one, it would be Scope 3 emissions. That’s where the industry’s been blind for too long. With EmissionInsider, we’ve helped ports uncover massive hidden emissions from ships sitting at anchor, inefficient yard operations, or uncoordinated truck flows.
And with Synchronizer, we’ve seen idle time slashed by up to 20% in some cases. That’s real fuel savings, lower CO₂, and better port throughput with no infrastructure spend needed. We’re not talking theory. This is a measurable impact.
There has been a lot of recent media attention about PortXchange. Can you share more on your most significant recent announcements or deployments?
Sjoerd:
We’ve made serious strides this past year. We’ve expanded across Northern and Southern Europe, launched impactful projects in the Americas, and deepened our footprint with ports that are serious about decarbonisation. But here’s the thing, it’s not about chasing logos. We focus on working with ports that want to get moving, who see emissions reduction as a strategic advantage, not just a compliance box to tick.
We’ve also been active in Asia, visiting and working with ports in Singapore and the wider region and we’re committed to continuing that work. The appetite for digitalisation and emissions accountability is growing rapidly here and we want to be part of shaping that momentum.
The media’s picking up on it because we’re doing what most players aren’t: making emissions data usable and turning operational decisions into climate decisions. The industry’s been waiting for someone to stop PowerPointing and actually build something that works. That’s us.
Some coverage has highlighted PortXchange’s role in promoting port-call optimisation to reduce emissions. Can you expand on how you’re helping ports meet environmental and regulatory goals?
Sjoerd:
We give ports the one thing they’ve been missing: clarity. Most ports don’t know where their emissions come from, let alone how to cut them. EmissionInsider changes that. It shows emissions by modality and location. It allows them to highlight and identify the worst offenders. It models the impact of switching, allowing them to make informed decisions.
It turns “We need to be greener” into “Here’s what we need to do next.” And when regulators come knocking, our platform provides ports with the data to defend their strategy under EU ETS, IMO, and local air quality rules. That’s power.
How are you measuring the impact or success of these implementations? Are there concrete data or KPIs that show how much efficiency has been gained?
Sjoerd:
Absolutely. We can help track idle time reduction, fuel burn avoided, emissions per vessel call, and overall CO₂ intensity by terminal or port zone. We don’t just say “better outcomes”, we show the numbers.
In one deployment, we helped a port cut anchorage emissions by 15% in less than a year. That’s the kind of KPI we care about. Less BS, more impact.
Is there a growing willingness from ports and shipping lines to embrace digitalisation and transparency, or do you still face resistance?
Sjoerd:
Both. The smart ones see what’s coming: rising fuel costs, carbon pricing, and customer pressure, and they’re moving fast. They want the clarity that EmissionInsider brings: real-time, credible emissions data they can act on.
Others are still stuck in the past, clinging to spreadsheets and hiding behind data ambiguity. If you can’t see your true emissions profile, it’s easy to pretend the problem’s smaller than it is.
We don’t waste time convincing the unwilling. We work with the first movers, prove it works, and let the results speak. Eventually, the rest follow or get left behind. This is a survival game now.
Do you see your technology playing a role in broader supply chain visibility or green corridors beyond the port itself?
Sjoerd:
100%. The port is just one node. What happens before the gate and after the berth is just as important. Trucks, rail, hinterland flows, it’s all connected.
We’re already integrating hinterland data and building towards green corridor visibility, port to port, ship to shore, terminal to terminal. You can’t decarbonise in isolation. You need a connected system and we’re building it.
What’s your strategy for scaling globally? Are there particular regions you’re prioritising for expansion?
Sjoerd:
We’re doubling down on America, Australia and Europe, where the urgency is real and the regulation is biting. But we’re also planting flags in South America, Asia and the Middle East where demand is rising fast.
Our strategy is simple: partner with the boldest ports, prove ROI fast, and scale through impact. We’re not here to sell licenses, we’re here to change how port operations work.
How do you handle the complexities of local regulations and data sovereignty when entering new markets?
Sjoerd:
We respect the rules, but we don’t let them slow us down. We design for data sovereignty, GDPR, and regional compliance from day one. Clients control their data. We store locally when needed. We build trust through transparency.
In some regions, that’s the dealbreaker. And we’ve made it a competitive advantage.
Do you see potential for AI or predictive analytics to take PortXchange’s services to the next level?
Sjoerd:
Absolutely, but let’s cut through the hype. Everyone’s throwing the word “AI” around, but what really matters is how you apply it and whether it actually solves anything. We already use machine learning in a big way, predicting ETAs, spotting inefficiencies and analysing emissions patterns. That’s already saving fuel and reducing idle time.
AI’s next level is about prescriptive action, not just telling you what’s happening, but recommending what to do next. That’s where we’re heading: from insight to action, from dashboards to decision-making.
At the same time, we’re honest about where AI adds value and where it doesn’t. Ports don’t need flashy tech for the sake of it; they need reliable, usable tools. If AI can fill data gaps, simplify planning, or speed up coordination, great. But the real power comes from combining that with human expertise, planners, operators, and decision-makers. AI supports the system. It doesn’t replace it.
So yes, AI is in our stack, but we’re not selling magic. We’re building real-world, responsible tech that helps ports take climate action faster and smarter.
How do you differentiate your offering from other maritime data or port call optimisation platforms that are emerging?
Sjoerd:
Many companies offer dashboards. We offer action. Our platform is purpose-built, emissions-focused, and co-developed with real-world users, not just consultants in suits.
We’re independent, we’re fast, and we’re not afraid to call out inefficiencies where we see them. That’s how you build trust and momentum in a conservative industry.
What are your biggest challenges and opportunities over the next 12–18 months?
Sjoerd:
Scaling smart. Demand is exploding, ports are waking up to emissions risk, but we need to stay agile. The opportunity? Become the default platform for emissions accountability in ports.
The challenge? Keep our startup DNA while growing. But that’s the game we signed up for.
How do you see the future of port call optimisation in the context of industry-wide decarbonisation and digital transformation?
Sjoerd:
It’s no longer optional. If you’re not optimising port calls, you’re burning fuel and money for no reason. Port call optimisation is the gateway to full decarbonisation. You can’t electrify chaos; you need coordination first. This isn’t a tech trend. It’s a survival strategy.
What kind of partnerships or innovations are you most excited about going forward?
Sjoerd:
We’re excited about green corridor pilots, shore power integration, and integrating emissions data into global ESG frameworks. But also: teaming up with AI startups, energy modellers, and bold ports to redefine what “smart” really means in this industry.
We’re not here to follow the playbook. We’re here to rewrite it.
