Feature, Freight News, IT, Sea

Dover signs digital twin deal

[ February 5, 2024   //   Chris Lewis ]

The Port of Dover and the Universities of Plymouth and Manchester have been awarded a £333,585 grant by Innovate UK to create a digital twin of the ro ro port.

The funding underpins a three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), that will harness the universities’ expertise in hydrodynamic modelling and cutting-edge research in AI and machine learning to create a transformative virtual model of the Port.

This will provide a dynamic 24-hour, 365-day all-weather simulation of the complex tidal flows across the harbour and predict with maximum confidence the conditions essential for safe navigation in the Port of Dover. As a result, the Port will be able to remain operational during harsher weather conditions and welcome larger vessels and an even greater range of ships. 

The award forms part of a wider programme of digitalisation by the Port of Dover, including work on a similar land-side digital twin, using a digital transformation to support energy efficiency and decarbonisation, as well as using AI to optimise traffic flows and port operations.

Tags: Port of Dover