Halifax Port Authority, PSA Halifax, COVE and DeepSense are are hosting the third Ocean Data Challenge. This free event will kick off on Monday, May 2nd at 4pm ADT with an introduction to the Challenge, presentations from experts, and the chance to ask questions to help idea exploration. Participants submit their video presentation on Monday, May 16th and the winners are announced on Friday, May 20th.
Recently PSA Halifax acquired the Fairview Cove container terminal, and now owns both the Fairview Cove and the Atlantic Hub container terminals in Halifax, making our port unified like few others. The Port of Halifax now has one terminal operator, one railroad operator, and one port authority. This change helps Halifax become a One Port City and will create new opportunities for our community.
This Data Challenge will invite participants to imagine new ways to drive port efficiency and sustainability, and to help us better understand and communicate the benefits of being a single container terminal operator port. We are inviting students at post-secondary institutions across Atlantic Canada to use ocean data to examine how we can drive urban port sustainability through this Challenge.
The challenge is broken down into three Challenge Streams: On the Water, Around the Water and On the Terminal. Individuals and teams will be asked to choose one stream and provide interdisciplinary ideas for helping understand the benefits of being a single container terminal operator port. Each stream can be used to explore different types of data, for example: “On the Water” can explore how we can better understand vessel movement or optimization, “On the Terminal” can include train and truck activity, and “Around the Water” can include movement of containers, trucks and train.
Challenge Stream #1 Theme: On the Water
How will the change to a single terminal operator port impact vessel operations? How can we optimize vessel operations with a single terminal operator?
Challenge Stream #2 Theme: On the Terminal
What efficiencies can be realized on terminals? What new opportunities are created through having one terminal operator, one railroad operator, and one port authority? Not sure what exactly happens at a shipping terminal? Check out this playlist with some great explainer videos.
Challenge Stream #3 Theme: Around the Water
What opportunities do we see as a result of being a single operator port? How do we optimize truck movements? What new opportunities might arise from a consolidation of container terminal operations? How can our city and port grow harmoniously?
The best ideas come from interdisciplinary teams, so we invite those studying Computer Science, Engineering, Biology, Sustainability, Business, or any other programs! As long as participants are students who are registered full or part-time at an Atlantic Canada post-secondary educational institution or graduated from one of those institutions in the past 12-months. You can go solo, or work with a team of up to five people. The Challenge kick-off will take place on Monday, May 2nd at 4pmADT and streamed online, with a recording uploaded the next day. Please ensure you read the Official Rules below.
