Digital Twins Realise Increased Efficiencies for Ports
Ports are one of the most complex and influential links in world logistics. Their many processes and operations contribute to the smooth functioning of national and international economies, simply by virtue of the vast amount of cargo – and in some cases people – that pass through them. Given the importance of ports and the functions they serve, updating technologies and trialling new innovations in order to improve efficiencies is difficult at best and in other cases, simply impossible – too much is at stake. This is immensely frustrating for businesses that are looking for ways to continually improve.
Digital twins enable busy ports to trial new methods for improving efficiencies without jeopardising operations.
In some parts of the world, ports are overcoming the problem of implementing new technology and processes for improving productivity with the implementation of digital twins. This enables methods and scenarios to be tested virtually before real-life implementation. What’s more, real time information can feed into the digital twin to improve real world outcomes as they happen. One port already realising the benefits of digital twin technology is the Port of Rotterdam. It’s a shift that’s likely to catch on as more ports around the world begin to understand the benefits digital twins can bring to their businesses.
What is a digital twin?
In simple terms, a digital twin is a virtual double of a real-world system or object. The virtual replica incorporates real-time data feeds from sensors and gauges, 3D plans and powerful algorithms that can crunch the continual flow of information to produce insights into that system and how its operation may be enhanced.
Digital twins can be made for single products, such as Tesla’s cars or for vast and complex systems like cities. The aim of digital twins is to close the gap between ideation and implementation while also improve resilience and planning for that system. Digital twins enable teams to test possible scenarios, improving risk mitigation and how that system operates.
For example, if an unseasonably high tide were to hit Port Adelaide and wash over parts of the wharf, a digital twin would be able to analyse the impact on operations. From possible damage to motor vehicle freight, the storage of dry goods such as grains and onto delays in loading for cruise vessels, along with all other knock-on effects such an event may cause which the twin has data for.
Similarly, digital twins enable management teams to test scenarios such as tweaks to docking schedules that could improve efficiencies, small changes to work processes that may enhance productivity on the wharf, or drastic environmental scenarios such as extreme storms and flooding.
The real-time data feeds and vast analytical power of digital twins enables both testing and planning to become far more robust and reliable. Because it is based on real data, it negates the need for any guess work or estimates.
Changing expectations
The convergence of technologies – IoT sensors, LiDAR, AI and more – is increasingly enabling innovative businesses to go beyond minimum standards for protecting our environment, their employees or even meet social responsibilities for the communities they work within. While doing so, they are also able to improve productivity levels, lower costs and increase efficiencies across entire operations.
Real-time access to information is becoming far more common, and as it does, expectations for businesses by governments, business partners, employees, and consumers are changing. Digital twins make use of many tried and tested technologies in new ways that allow the organisations that have them to plan better and, in some cases, even predict future events.
From a digital twin’s user-friendly dashboard, a true, 100% accurate, real-time overview of a port’s entire operations becomes possible. Consolidating various kinds of data – wind speed, air temperature, water salinity, flow, currents, tides, ship schedules and more – allows management teams to have everything they need at their fingertips in a way that’s simple to understand.
Supported by powerful algorithms and AI to provide insights, the constant flow of information ensures the smooth and effective running of all component parts of the port’s operations. Optimal docking, loading, offloading and departure times can be calculated quickly so ships can berth and depart faster and more safely. The financial gains from such a system are just a small part of the benefits when looked at alongside customer satisfaction, worker safety and lowered environmental impact.
Digital twins are already improving operations in ports around the world, making a huge difference to supply chains that stretch across seas and continents. They are facilitating the safe and cost-effective delivery of commodities, products and people around the globe, raising the bar for what is possible and ultimately enhancing the social and economic value of ports for operators.
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