Ports exist as the lifeblood of global trade, but managing their system of operations is a complex task ripe with the potential for disruption. Enter digital twin technology—an approach that enables operators to test strategies, optimize systems, and make informed decisions, all without risk. This cutting-edge solution is reshaping how ports plan, operate, and evolve for the future.

What is a Digital Twin?

As ports evolve to meet the demands of modern trade, digital twin technology has emerged as a transformative solution for optimizing operations and enhancing decision-making. While digital twin simulation and emulation have long been essential tools, the latest digital twin technology has made significant technological strides by offering dynamic, real-time representations of port assets, operations, and workflows. If ports and terminals are to make the most of digital twin technology, it’s important to understand what the latest digital twin capabilities are.

Unlike static models, digital twins have the capability to evolve alongside the physical port, fed by live data from sensors and other real-time inputs to create a dynamic, digital environment that reflects changing conditions. It allows operators to see how their port functions in real time, and test potential changes without disrupting live operations.

A New Era of Port Operations

One of the most significant advantages of digital twins is their ability to provide a risk-free environment for testing new strategies. Ports are complex, and even the smallest operational adjustments can create a ripple effect across the system. Experimenting with these changes—such as altering berthing schedules or implementing new equipment—can be risky and disruptive, but a digital twin allows operators to simulate the outcome of these changes before implementing them in the real world.

This capability extends to the Terminal Operating System(TOS), which essentially functions as the heart of a port. Operators typically adjust TOS settings to improve workflow, which is often a risky procedure as it has the potential to seriously disrupt operations if something goes wrong. However, with a digital twin, port operators can fine-tune TOS settings in a virtual space to test the outcomes of these changes before applying them in real life. This ensures that operational changes, such as crane deployment or traffic adjustments, can be made without risking interruption.

While the day-to-day use of digital twins provides security to operators, they also create a cost-effective way for ports to make informed infrastructure decisions. Testing new equipment or operational strategies in the digital twin avoids the risks and expenses associated with real-world trials, reducing inefficiencies and unnecessary expenditure.

A Tool to Increase Confidence

As well as creating a digital testbed, digital twins help provide operators with a greater sense of confidence in their decisions by offering a comprehensive view of port operations. By simulating various operational scenarios, stakeholders gain the confidence to proceed with complex infrastructure changes or additional investments. Digital twins remove much of the uncertainty involved in decision-making and provide clarity about the risks and benefits of various strategic decisions.

Digital twins encourage experimentation, allowing ports to test new ideas without fear of disrupting ongoing operations. As ports explore automated systems or greener energy solutions, operators can assess the impact of these innovations virtually and determine their value. This ability to experiment freely accelerates the adoption of new technologies, promoting innovation while minimizing risk.

A Future Powered by Digital Twins

FlexTerm® enables users to access digital twin technologies to best suit their project needs, allowing them to test and refine both their plans and live operations. Container terminal simulation has been successfully applied to over 100 port systems and terminals worldwide, including large ports such as those in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Tianjin, Singapore, Valparaiso and by operators such as APMT, PSA, Maher, and others.

As digital twin technology becomes more widely adopted, it will play an even more central role in shaping the future of ports. By embracing digital twins, ports can enhance operations, increase resilience, and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving world of global trade.

Case Study: Digital Twin Supported Efficiency at Port Esbjerg

Port Esbjerg, the world’s leading offshore wind port, is leveraging a digital twin developed by Moffatt & Nichol to increase its operational efficiency. By simulating offshore wind port logistics, the digital twin has allowed Esbjerg to triple its throughput for offshore wind components from 1.5 GW to 4.5 GW annually. The digital twin optimizes efficient space use and enhances loading processes, eliminating guesswork and reducing costly errors. With the use of Moffatt & Nichol’s digital twin technology, Esbjerg can handle projects in a more precise way, setting a new standard for efficiency in offshore wind ports.