The Kiribati island chain, with an average elevation of just 2 meters above sea level, faces an existential threat from rising sea levels due to climate change. To support the community's resilience, a comprehensive data collection project was initiated to gather critical information on the seabed and surrounding marine habitats. The project used satellite imagery to perform surveys over 3.5 million km² of ocean, focusing on capturing data that identifies areas at the highest risk from flooding, storm surges, and tsunamis. This information, handed over to the Kiribati Government, aids in creating effective sea defences and informs the development of the Kiribati Outer Island Transport Infrastructure Investment Project. Funded by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, this project aims to improve maritime infrastructure and alleviate population pressure on the densely populated capital, Tarawa.

The project focuses on advancing the capabilities of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) by creating innovative navigational solutions that do not rely on traditional manned operations. These vessels utilize real-time data from high-resolution digital maps, sensors, and cameras to navigate safely and autonomously. A significant milestone includes the support for the Mayflower Autonomous Ship project, where autonomous navigation was successfully achieved using AI systems integrated with S-100 and S-102 data standards. Additionally, the use of digital twins allows for virtual simulations, replicating real-world conditions for better navigational testing. This project aims to ensure that autonomous vessels can operate efficiently and safely, regardless of human intervention.

Nordic Tankers Marine is a prominent player in the technical and commercial management of chemical tankers, with a strong focus on quality and safety. In a bid to enhance safety, efficiency, and alignment with regulatory standards, the company embarked on a project to transition from traditional paper-based navigation to electronic navigation using the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS).

This case study explores the development and implementation of 3DNL, a photorealistic digital twin of the entire Netherlands. This digital twin, based on airborne imagery and LiDAR data, offers a comprehensive and detailed representation of the country's terrain and infrastructure. This digital twin provides a valuable resource for government and commercial users, offering detailed 3D data for a wide range of applications. The project demonstrates the power of innovative technology and collaboration in creating comprehensive and accessible geospatial data sets.

The Port of Rotterdam is leveraging digital twin technology to establish itself as the world's first fully digital and intelligent port by 2030. This initiative is a part of the port’s long-term Port Vision 2030 plan, aimed at optimizing operations within a vast 41-square-mile area that serves approximately 30,000 vessels annually. Using IBM’s IoT and AI technologies, the port has deployed a network of sensors to monitor critical environmental parameters in real-time, including water salinity, flow, tides, and currents, as well as air quality and weather conditions. Data collected by these sensors is integrated into a digital twin—a virtual model of the port—that enables predictive analytics, helping to improve efficiency in vessel docking and departure schedules, cargo management, and overall port throughput.

The Geological Survey of Ireland, in collaboration with the CHERISH project, is actively surveying the dynamic Irish coastline to monitor erosion and sedimentation patterns influenced by climate change. Using fixed-wing UAVs, such as the Trimble UX5 equipped with optical cameras, sections of the coastline were surveyed in 2017 and again in 2018, creating 3D point clouds that allow precise comparison of topographic changes over time. For example, Rosslare’s dunes revealed a significant erosion of up to 4 meters in elevation and the movement of approximately 5,800 cubic meters of sediment. Despite erosion, much of the sediment is retained nearby, with minimal amounts drifting out to sea. This critical information is invaluable for current infrastructure planning, climate-change adaptation, and mitigation strategies, allowing data-driven decisions in coastal management.

In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the Hellenic Military Geographical Service, in collaboration with the Athens Medical Association and the Region of Attica, developed a geospatial recording and monitoring system to track Covid-19 in real-time. The system is designed to support mobile medical units conducting diagnostic sample testing across the region. Previously, these teams relied on manual data entry through Excel, leading to significant delays in processing and exposing personnel to prolonged contact with potential hotspots. The new system automates data collection, allows instant relay to scientific collaborators, and provides a cartographic background for visualizing viral spread. This real-time system improves safety, reduces processing time, and supports the rapid response to emerging hotspots by providing up-to-date data to the operations center.

The AIFER project was initiated in February 2021 in response to the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters. AIFER aims to demonstrate the adaptability of AI methods to other disaster scenarios. By enhancing emergency management, AIFER contributes to saving lives and minimizing disaster impact, holding significant potential for global disaster response and resilience efforts.

The iFOODis project, "Improving the sustainability of food cycles through intelligent (robotic) systems," aims to enhance sustainable food production by creating an intelligent robotic monitoring network. This network continuously assesses terrestrial and surface water ecosystems in relation to agricultural activities, offering valuable insights for ecosystem health management and sustainable resource utilization.

The "Denied Areas" project, led by the Federal Office for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG), focuses on developing robust positioning systems for use by emergency services in environments where GPS and traditional positioning systems are ineffective. These environments include underground car parks, subway stations, tunnels, and densely built-up urban areas. By leveraging small-format inertial navigation systems (INS) and integrating data from multiple sensors, the project aims to reliably track personnel movement and provide real-time position data, which is vital for navigation, situational awareness, and coordination of emergency teams. The project's methodology includes using sensor fusion to enhance the precision of positioning and secure data transmission to share critical information across all emergency response stakeholders. This effort will ultimately improve operational efficiency, reduce response times, and enhance safety during rescue operations in GPS-denied areas.