Implementing Digital Twin Technology in Small Seaports
In the maritime world, small ports are embracing digital transformation to enhance their operations and emergency response capabilities. One of the key tools driving this change is the use of digital twins, virtual replicas of physical port facilities that offer numerous benefits.
Decision-makers at the Port of Corpus Christi, for instance, have upgraded their systems to support better communication and collaboration. Previously, they were using dozens of disparate systems that couldn't communicate with each other. Now, with the implementation of digital twins, they can streamline their day-to-day operations and accelerate responses to emergencies.
The Port of Hamburg, Germany's largest seaport, is developing a digital twin to support executives in making challenging decisions under pressure. This digital twin aims to provide reliable data to understand how equipment, processes, and other activities combine for successful operations. It also seeks to optimize resource usage and minimize negative environmental impacts.
In Singapore, the government is using a digital twin to plan for chemical spills and other pollution issues, aiming to improve emergency responses. This digital twin integrates AI, predictive analytics, aerial drone data, and real-time traffic information to enhance situational awareness, coordinate resource deployment, and support emergency preparedness, including detailed weather visualization to reduce delays.
Studying real-life case studies of digital twins at ports can help executives determine the most impactful ways to use these tools. For example, smaller ports can tailor their digital twins to identify and mitigate key risk areas, leading to measurable improvements in safety and operational efficiency.
Digital twins can also be focused on specific decision-making tasks for smaller ports, such as labor needs or vessel movements, to lower development costs and increase accessibility. The Port of Corpus Christi's digital twin, for instance, geolocates every asset to within 1,000 feet, providing photorealistic, 3D data, and supporting better communication among decision-makers. Users can click on individual vessels to see their locations, retrieve contact details, and assess whether ships can successfully navigate the port.
Europe's second-largest port, Antwerp-Bruges, has developed a digital twin that receives information from 460 cameras and 22 radars to eliminate blind spots and increase safety and efficiency.
While multifunctional digital twins can be complex, smaller ports can start small, choosing the project scope, focusing on goals and challenges, and launching a small pilot to expand as resources allow. This approach aligns with a port's resources, time frames, and other factors, making digital twin implementation more accessible.
Interestingly, 29% of global manufacturers already use digital twins to avoid downtime and identify bottlenecks. As more ports adopt this technology, we can expect to see further improvements in safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
[1] Source: "Digital Twin in Ports: A Comprehensive Guide" by DNV GL [2] Source: "Supply Chain Digital Twins: The Future of Logistics" by McKinsey & Company [3] Source: "Digital Twins for Ports: A Case Study Approach" by Aalto University School of Science and Technology
- In the realm of global trade and industry, the employment of digital twins in port management is gaining traction, with finance playing a crucial role in these investments due to the potential for cost savings and improved efficiency, as suggested by the studies from DNV GL, McKinsey & Company, and Aalto University.
- Digital twins are not only revolutionizing the operations of large-scale ports like the Port of Hamburg, Antwerp-Bruges, and Singapore, but they are also being adapted to suit the specific needs of smaller ports, allowing them to identify and mitigate risk areas, optimize resources, and boost operational efficiency.
- As digital-and-cloud-computing technology advances and becomes more accessible, the integration of AI, predictive analytics, aerial drone data, and real-time traffic information in digital twins can lead to substantial improvements in safety, efficiency, and sustainability across the global trade sector.
