Science & technology | Factory resetAI models are helping dirty industries go greenMining companies and steelmakers are feeling the benefitsIllustration: Rose Wong Apr 10th 2025|RotterdamOVER A CENTURY ago, ships leaving Rotterdam’s harbour were among the earliest to be equipped with wireless telegraphy and submarine signalling. Now, Europe’s busiest port is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI). PortXChange, developed by the port and spun out as an independent entity, uses AI to analyse several dozen factors tracking vessels, port emissions and estimated arrival times. A huge source of wasted fuel is the “hurry up and wait” common among ships rushing to arrive at congested ports. This platform helped Shell, an oil giant, reduce “idle time”, affecting departures of barges and bulk shipments across all ports, by 20%. The tool is now being used by companies and ports around the globe.Explore moreThis article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Factory reset”From the April 12th 2025 editionDiscover stories from this section and more in the list of contents⇒Explore the editionReuse this content