Driving sustainability in maritime operations
PortXchange, a data-driven software company, is transforming maritime operations with cutting-edge technology that enhances efficiency and reduces environmental impact. Established in 2018 as a spin-off from the Port of Rotterdam, PortXchange has become a pioneer in sustainable shipping solutions. Led by CEO Sjoerd de Jager, the company leverages real-time data, AI, and machine learning to help ports and shipping companies optimise fuel use, reduce emissions, and comply with evolving sustainability regulations. Recognised for its innovative approach, PortXchange recently won the Technology of the Year Award, reinforcing its role as a leader in sustainable maritime technology.
Enhancing efficiency while reducing environmental impact
PortXchange was built on the premise that better data sharing can lead to more efficient port operations. Initially, the focus was on standardising data and demonstrating the financial benefits of optimised ship movements. However, the team quickly realised that reducing fuel burn not only saved costs but also significantly cut emissions.
“We started with a business-driven approach—helping ships save fuel and allowing ports to handle more traffic without increasing infrastructure investment,” explains de Jager. “But we soon saw that reducing fuel consumption also had a huge sustainability impact, cutting emissions in ways that were both measurable and scalable.”
This insight led to the development of Just-in-Time Arrivals, a system that enables ships to optimise their speed to arrive exactly when needed. This reduces idle time at ports and minimises unnecessary fuel consumption. The platform also provides CO2 reduction estimates, helping businesses align their operations with global climate goals.
Scaling sustainability in a traditional industry
Unlike many fast-moving technology startups, the maritime industry operates at a much slower pace due to its reliance on long-term assets and strict safety regulations. This posed a challenge for PortXchange, as convincing stakeholders to adopt digital solutions required extensive industry trust and long sales cycles.
“Shipping is conservative, and change happens gradually,” says de Jager. “It’s a sector with assets that last 25-50 years, and safety always comes first. But what we offer is a low-cost, high-impact solution—optimising operations to save fuel and emissions immediately.”
Despite these challenges, PortXchange has successfully expanded beyond Rotterdam, securing partnerships with major global ports and shipping companies. The demand for sustainability solutions has surged, especially as the industry faces increasing regulatory pressure to decarbonise.
A commitment to sustainable business practices
Beyond its products, PortXchange has also integrated sustainability into its own operations. As a certified B Corporation, the company adheres to high standards of social and environmental responsibility.
From its employee policies to its travel practices, PortXchange prioritises sustainability at every level. “Everyone gets a public transport card to commute to the office, and we favour sustainable suppliers whenever possible,” de Jager notes. “It’s about making sustainability a habit in every decision, big or small.”
This approach has also helped PortXchange attract top talent. “We see more and more professionals choosing to work with us because they want to contribute to a company with a real sustainability mission,” says de Jager. “It’s a generational shift—people want to work for businesses that make a positive impact.”
Measuring impact and driving change
While many companies struggle to quantify their sustainability efforts, PortXchange has made impact measurement central to its strategy. The company tracks the CO2 reductions achieved through its software solutions, ensuring that its sustainability claims are backed by data.
“We set clear targets, like reducing global shipping emissions by a million tonnes by 2030,” says de Jager. “The more companies that use our platform, the greater the impact we can make.”
By working with ports to assess their emissions footprints, PortXchange is helping the industry move toward real, data-driven decarbonisation strategies. “It’s often an eye-opener for port authorities when they see the real numbers,” de Jager explains. “Once you know your footprint, you can start making targeted investments with the best return on emissions reduction.”
The future of sustainable maritime operations
Looking ahead, PortXchange is expanding its emissions reporting and optimisation solutions globally, securing projects beyond Europe in the U.S. and Asia. With tightening regulations—such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)—maritime companies are increasingly turning to data-driven solutions to meet sustainability requirements.
A key innovation in this effort is EmissionInsider, a platform designed to help ports track and analyse emissions from ships, trucks, and rail. By providing real-time insights, EmissionInsider enables ports to develop targeted decarbonisation strategies, align with regulatory frameworks like the CSRD, and drive measurable progress toward net-zero goals.
To support industry-wide adoption, PortXchange offers live demos, allowing ports to explore how EmissionInsider can enhance their sustainability efforts and compliance strategies.
Sjoerd de Jager, CEO of PortXchange, explains, “We are dedicated to helping ports not only meet but accelerate their journey to net zero. Historically, ports have operated in isolation, with fragmented data collection hindering progress. This launch marks a pivotal step towards creating a unified global standard for port emissions reporting, accessible to all ports, regardless of size or operational complexity. We need a unified standard similar to those already established in other industries. We aim to boost transparency and promote greater collaboration across the industry, which is essential for making significant advances in decarbonisation efforts.”
Advice for businesses starting their sustainability journey
For companies looking to implement sustainability strategies, de Jager has two key recommendations: “Firstly, use a structured framework – We used B Corp as our guiding standard, which made it much easier to design policies and make decisions from day one. On another note, find your personal motivation – Sustainability should be more than a corporate strategy—it should be something you’re personally invested in. The clearer your vision, the more likely you are to inspire others and make meaningful change.”
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