Port operations consist of multiple activities, ranging from business processes, work safety activities, infrastructure maintenance to activities for protecting the environment. Every decision of every single process/activity made should be based on relevant data, thus collection of data, as proposed and demonstrated within the NEPHELE UC#2, presents a baseline for collection of any type of data in the port. Then, data collection, together with data analysis, simulations and data visualization provides foundation for “digital twin for port operations”. At this stage, a limited/incomplete version of digital twin is provided, while further development activities will lead to a complete digital twin of the port which would further enhance effectiveness of port activities.
KER will allow for improvements in the ININ’s and Wings’ product portfolio (when matured enough), while it will directly contribute to operations in LK. For UoM, KER represents an asset and know-how for further research and educational activities. Similarly, know-how gained through KER will also add value to consulting, training and educational services provided by ININ.
Initially, the KER will be exploited through further research and development towards higher TRLs, and, if proved successful, will finally enter the productization phase. The research and development phase will also include cooperation with external industrial partners in order to properly address industry vertical needs.
Ports, as well as many other industry verticals, have been going through the phase of digitalization for many years now which results in multiple separate IT systems supporting specific port activities. Integration of a digital twin, as a next step within the port digitalization process, enables unified view on all port activities, thus also enabling observations and analysis of mutual dependence and impacts among single processes, aiming at improved decision making.
At the end of the NEPHELE project, KER achieves TRL 6. It is expected further development will take at least 4 years before the KER can be commercialized, given market conditions and industry needs will evolve according to current assumptions.
KER primarily targets the smart ports market. The main opportunities are in line with pressing needs for digitalization of logistics/ports as one of key priorities required to maintain ports’ (global) competitiveness, while recognizing that more than half the value of goods imports to the EU and over 40% of goods exports from the EU go through ports. Otherwise, increase in ports digitalization and involvement of smart technologies has already been seen as a response to past supply chain crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemics and later with the war in Ukraine, therefore, further investment in digitalization bringing benefits to the business, is expected.
ports and logistics industry verticals
KER provides real-time insight into port activities, enabling operational awareness through real-time data, analysis and simulations