Klaipėda Port Turns to Private 5G to Lead the Baltic in Smart Port Innovation

Klaipėda, Lithuania

By Maria Kalamatas | The Logistic News
May 26, 2025 – Section: TECH

Klaipėda, Lithuania’s vital link to the Baltic Sea, is embracing a bold step toward next-generation port logistics. Earlier this week, port officials unveiled a private 5G network built exclusively for industrial use — a first in the country’s maritime sector.

The network was designed to solve a growing problem: the limits of existing wireless systems in managing increasingly complex port operations. Traditional Wi-Fi and public mobile signals simply can’t handle the demands of high-volume, high-speed logistics. This 5G system changes that.

“We need more than speed — we need certainty,” said Algis Latakas, Director General of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority. “This network allows us to coordinate machines, vehicles, and systems instantly, without lag or interference.”

The 5G platform enables real-time control of automated cranes, yard vehicles, and terminal gates. More importantly, it creates a digital framework for broader transformation — including predictive maintenance, smart scheduling, and emergency response coordination.

Plans are already in motion to develop a full digital twin of the port: a live, 3D operational replica that will simulate cargo flows, vessel traffic, and equipment performance. For port managers, this means faster decisions based on real-time data — not reactive fixes.

“The digital twin isn’t a concept anymore,” noted Egle Daukantaitė, a port technology advisor. “It’s becoming a daily operations tool.”

The new network also tightens cybersecurity. Because the signal doesn’t run through public infrastructure, sensitive operational data — like container locations or customs flows — remains protected within a closed system.

Klaipėda’s move reflects a broader trend in Northern Europe, where ports are racing to digitize without physically expanding. As space becomes limited and trade continues to grow, intelligent systems are no longer optional — they’re essential.

✎ Maria Kalamatas
Senior Correspondent – Technology & Infrastructure
The Logistic News

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