The Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest and one of the busiest globally, is undergoing a transformative digital overhaul to prepare for the era of autonomous ships. The initiative, led by the Port Authority, aims to create a digital twin of the port, a virtual replica powered by GIS and IoT, enabling real-time monitoring, simulation, and management of port operations. This ambitious project addresses the complexity of handling 140,000 vessels annually while optimizing operations to accommodate crewless ships by 2030.

By integrating real-time data from IoT sensors across port infrastructure, including berth conditions, tidal streams, water salinity, and wind speeds, GIS analyses and visualizes these inputs in a geospatial context. This facilitates better decision-making for tasks like berth scheduling, cargo loading/unloading, and ship manoeuvring. The digital twin enables simulations to predict optimal conditions for autonomous ship operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and readiness for a fully automated maritime future.