Towards the sustainability of the Spanish port system through the business observation tool

The sustainability of the planet is a burning issue that has affected all areas of life. The port sector is also affected by this increasing focus on protecting the environment and making efficient and intelligent use of the available resources. The search for sustainable policies in the Spanish port system is a priority. A detailed analysis of the sustainability of the Spanish port system is presented here, through use of a graphic tool that is a pioneer in the port field: the business observation tool (BOT). The aim of this research study was to identify the minimum elements to be considered when formulating the concept of sustainability linked to Spanish ports, allowing the reality of the conditions of the port environment to be known and establishing possible scenarios to evolve beyond the observed reality, towards harmonious and balanced growth by means of an observation model through the BOT. This pioneering and innovative project in the application of this strategy has required research considered as approximate through analysis of the current condition of the Spanish port system and the study of adjacent ports as examples. The paper concludes with the fundamental idea of the need to promote the implementation of increasing measures towards intelligent ports.