As global supply chains continue to evolve, the intersection of marine and rail operations is becoming a decisive battleground for efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Port Technology International spoke with Thomas J. Rucker, President and CEO of Tideworks Technology, to explore how terminals can navigate this transformation and prepare for the next decade of digital operations.
How would you describe the current state of the marine and rail terminal industry, and what macro-trends are shaping your customers’ operational priorities in 2025?
The marine and rail terminal industry is undergoing a period of transformation shaped by supply chain volatility, shifting trade patterns, and heightened regulations. To stay competitive, operators are prioritising agility and resilience, moving from rigid, siloed systems to connected, data-driven platforms that unlock greater visibility and make information actionable for faster decision-making. Operators are also investing in automation, AI, and machine learning as practical tools to reduce dwell times, minimise rehandles, and optimise operations without overhauling their core systems.
At the same time, ESG and regulatory pressures are accelerating change, with stricter emission targets and reporting requirements driving upgrades to equipment and systems capable of tracking carbon impacts. Layered on top of this are growing geopolitical tensions, reshaping trade flow patterns and reinforcing the need for flexible, future-ready infrastructure.
The net effect is clear: operators are focusing on technologies and processes that deliver measurable cost reductions and throughput gains. No more “nice-to-have” projects—today’s initiatives must tie directly to revenue, safety, and sustainability.
At Tideworks, we’re helping terminals move away from legacy systems toward flexible, connected solutions that deliver immediate efficiency and evolve with their future needs.
READ: Driving Digitalisation in Intermodal Rail
From your recent engagements, what are the most pressing operational challenges your customers are bringing to you today, and how do these differ from what you were hearing a few years ago?
Customers are asking how to optimise yard utilisation, improve gate operations, and reduce manual workarounds. Our global surveys confirm these pain points: over 65 per cent of marine terminals cite yard utilisation as their top challenge, while another 65 per cent report limited visibility at the gates. Even with TOS adoption, 55 per cent of marine terminals still rely on spreadsheets, and in rail, only 27 per cent use real-time analytics, highlighting the gap between data availability and usability.
A few years ago, the conversation centred on capacity and volume surges experienced during the pandemic. Now, the focus is on visibility, integration, and doing more with constrained resources while remaining competitive. Our customers want configurable platforms that simplify complexity, break down silos, and scale intelligently.
To address these needs, our Professional Services team partners with terminals to develop tailored strategies aligned with their business and operational goals. While many challenges are common among terminal operators, every terminal is unique. We take the time to understand each client’s pain points. It’s important to focus on solving operational challenges first, not just chasing new technology. By addressing gaps in data and processes, we can adapt our solutions to strengthen operating models and meet unique needs.
We’re seeing a stronger push for terminals to become more data-driven. How is Tideworks helping operators translate data into tangible operational improvements and ROI?
The value of data lies in how and when it is shared. Tideworks is hyper-focused on data, and we’re investing heavily in accurate, real-time, and accessible information. Our data platform solutions support two-way data exchange, integrate widely used open-source tools, and govern, cleanse, and standardise data for accuracy and usability. This enables terminals to monitor key performance indicators in real time, giving operators the confidence to base decisions on up-to-date information, which can reduce dwell times, optimise yard strategies, and improve asset utilisation.
We’re also excited about the potential of AI and machine learning. Our TOS provides the foundation for added intelligence, but clean, structured data must come first. That’s why we’re focused on ensuring terminal data is accurate, timely, and usable.
Data alone isn’t enough; usability and flexibility must follow. Tideworks is delivering connected, intelligent systems that simplify complexity and give terminals more control. Our extensibility approach empowers customers to build, integrate, or extend their systems on their terms, driving long-term transformation through adaptability and partnership.
Where is Tideworks focusing its investments – both in terms of technology development and strategic partnerships – to help terminals prepare for the next decade?
Tideworks is investing in three key areas to help terminals prepare for the future:
- Adaptable, Intelligent Systems. We’re building solutions that evolve with customer needs, prioritising practical optimisation and data-driven decision-making over hype. This includes investments in data harmonisation and analytics to advance optimisation initiatives and explore AI and other emerging technologies.
- Open Ecosystem and Strategic Partnerships. We are expanding our open API framework to make it easier for terminals to integrate with equipment providers, technology partners, and third-party systems. This approach gives operators flexibility and choice, breaking the cycle of vendor lock-in and enabling them to design an ecosystem that best fits their operations.
- Customer Empowerment and People. We’re empowering customers to extend and customise the TOS through their own teams, allowing them to address unique business requirements on their own terms. At the same time, we’re investing in our people, strengthening leadership across engineering, professional services, and go-to-market to deliver software, measurable business outcomes, and long-term success for our customers.
How are you ensuring that your solutions remain resilient in the face of industry disruptions, such as supply chain volatility, labour shortages, or regulatory changes?
Tideworks solutions are built to handle the unexpected. Whether deployed on-premise or in the cloud, they’re modular, scalable, and secure. Security is embedded through rigorous code reviews, regular penetration testing, and enterprise-level hosting. Our systems feature built-in redundancy and continuity measures, helping terminals maintain smooth operations even under volatile conditions.
Beyond technology, our Professional Services team works alongside terminal staff to train teams, support process changes, and create workflows that can flex as workforce needs shift. We also partner closely with operators to stay ahead of new regulations, making compliance easier and enabling rapid adaptation as the industry evolves.
READ: Tideworks powers Freightliner’s smart booking automation
Looking beyond AI and automation, which emerging technologies or methodologies do you believe will have the greatest impact on terminal efficiency and competitiveness in the near term?
Much of what is marketed as ‘AI’ is really pattern recognition or automation wrapped in a buzzword. Looking beyond AI and automation, we believe the greatest near-term impact will come from technologies and methodologies that strengthen data visibility, interoperability, and configurability. Terminals increasingly need platforms that can consolidate operational data from multiple sources and deliver actionable insights in real time. This is why we’re investing heavily in open APIs and modern integration frameworks, enabling seamless TOS connectivity with partner systems, equipment, and external platforms without heavy custom development.
Another key focus is data-driven decision support. By capturing, cleansing, and visualising data—through dashboards, predictive analytics, or even digital twins—they gain the confidence to adjust strategies on the fly. Tideworks places data at the centre, giving customers the insights they need to make faster, smarter decisions and turn information into immediate operational improvements.
What do you anticipate will be your customers’ biggest needs or opportunities in the next five years, and how is Tideworks positioning itself to meet them ahead of time?
Over the next five years, we expect terminals’ biggest needs will likely revolve around scaling efficiently despite resource constraints and unlocking greater value from data. Operators are under pressure to expand capacity, move cargo faster, and reduce manual processes, all while preparing for deeper digital integration and automation.
The greatest opportunity lies in moving away from rigid, one-size-fits-all systems toward more configurable, interoperable platforms. Terminals want the flexibility to adapt to evolving business requirements and connect seamlessly with partners, equipment, and emerging technologies.
Tideworks is positioned to support this shift. We’re investing heavily in data, creating real-time visibility and dashboards that give operators the confidence to make informed decisions and pursue automation with clarity. We’re continuing to open our systems through APIs to enable integration with strategic partners and avoid vendor lock-in. Equally important, we’re expanding our Professional Services and client-facing teams to work alongside customers, tailoring solutions to their unique business models and long-term goals.
Ultimately, Tideworks is focused on practical solutions that deliver real value to terminal operators, helping them achieve their goals and serving as the strategic partner they can rely on.