Data Storytelling and Decision-Making in Seaport Operations: A New Approach Based on Business Intelligence

Seaports are experiencing several challenges due to the explosive growth of the maritime shipping business, which has led to the need for digitalized operations and more effective solutions. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the process used to create a reliable business intelligence solution by analyzing the container delivery and pick-up services flow in one of Portugal’s largest maritime container ports, using the CRISP-DM methodology. The solution, built with Microsoft Power BI®, provides the capability to identify and address data anomalies and present key performance indicators in visually dynamic dashboards. This solution empowers stakeholders to gain invaluable insights into the current and future operational status, thereby facilitating well-informed and adaptable decision-making, representing the main practical contributions. As a theoretical contribution, this study advances research by covering a gap in the literature and establishing the foundations for future business intelligence applications within the maritime industry, with a focus on addressing data dispersion challenges, enhancing logistics flow analysis, and reducing port congestion. The manuscript is structured into seven sections: introduction, literature review, port challenges, methodology, tool development, SWOT analysis, and conclusion.