Private 5G for Port Automation

Wide shot of the Port of Liverpool, showing the loading bay and a docked ship

United Kingdom, Jun 5, 2025

Port infrastructure across Britain urgently requires enhanced connectivity to support the full automation of complex, end-to-end operations. 

 

These processes are time-critical, demanding real-time precision from stakeholders. Yet, with sensitive data in play and serious risks linked to errors, upgrading legacy systems is no small task. 

To modernise ageing infrastructure and ensure long-term digital security, port operators are turning to private 5G (P5G) networks as a future-ready solution. P5G offers superior coverage, capacity, and security compared to public 5G or Wi-Fi, and is highly customisable to meet industry-specific needs. The Peel Ports P5G project, part of the UK Government’s ON-SIDE initiative, exemplifies this shift. It brings together public and private sector partners, including Peel Ports Group, Logicalis UK&I, Cisco, Intel, and DSIT, to enhance operational efficiency, security, and scalability at the Port of Liverpool.

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The project leverages Cisco’s cloud-managed 5G core and Nokia’s AirScale radios, managed by Logicalis, to create a robust, secure network using a lightly licensed spectrum from Ofcom. This setup allows Peel Ports to maintain full control over their network, reducing reliance on public infrastructure and enabling automation. The P5G network has been tailored to the port’s challenging environment, which consist of large metal structures and contend with constant movement, which previously hindered Wi-Fi performance.

One of the key benefits of the P5G deployment is its ability to provide seamless connectivity across the port’s vast area, including container terminals and cranes. This has significantly reduced service dropouts and cabling requirements, while improving worker safety and operational efficiency. The network supports real-time communication between straddle carriers and other port systems, enhancing logistics and data flow.

The project has already demonstrated tangible improvements, including a tenfold increase in network performance and reduced latency. Equipment has been strategically installed on existing port towers, avoiding the need for new infrastructure and promoting sustainability. The enhanced connectivity also opens the door to advanced applications like push-to-talk and man-down safety features on mobile devices.

Ultimately, the P5G network is transforming how Peel Ports operates. With the ability to deploy small, connected devices across the port, data collection and analysis have become more accessible and immediate. Daily operational meetings now benefit from real-time insights, enabling more informed decision-making and paving the way for a data-driven future in port management.

We’ve always been constrained in terms of engineering or operations, to get information or data that isn’t always easily accessible. You now have very small devices that you can deploy anywhere, to connect to a network and feed that back instantaneously. This opens the door to so much data-driven information. 

Every morning, we sit in 8 o’clock meetings and look at data within our operations. This P5G network delivers this on a plate to us, directly. The amount of equipment we can fit on is now endless.

Damien Cross
Head of Containers Technology & Automation
Peel Ports Group

Download the written case study for a full account of P5G project at the Port of Liverpool.

 

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