Singapore debuts digital twin of its port
The virtual model could increase the safety, efficiency and sustainability of the Republic’s maritime operations
[SINGAPORE] A virtual model of the Port of Singapore was launched by the Republic on Monday (Mar 24). Named the Maritime Digital Twin (MDT), it is a real-time computer representation of Singapore’s maritime operations and port infrastructure.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of Singapore Maritime Week 2025, Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai said the MDT will provide a platform for information sharing, which will enable the development of tools to optimise port efficiency and reliability.
The MDT is developed by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in partnership with the Government Technology Agency of Singapore, research institutes and industry partners.
The development of MDT began in 2024, with the first user trials set to begin in the second half of 2025 before progressive implementation for the wider industry. MPA did not elaborate on the cost of the development.
“In future, we can extend this to the global maritime ecosystem through our green and digital shipping corridors with other countries and ports,” said Murali.
Through the use of artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and modelling, the MDT will allow for better performance in port operations and services; reduce energy usage and emissions; and improve safety, said MPA.
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MDT uses operational data from MPA, as well as openly published data sets on vessels, weather, marine and coastal data, and can also incorporate live aerial drone feeds.
For example, it will use data from MPA’s existing Just-in-Time Planning and Coordination Platform that plans for the best arrival and departure times for vessels. This live information on where vessels are and what they are doing will help minimise waiting times, improve efficiency, and reduce turnaround times for companies providing services to the vessels.
The MDT can also serve as a virtual test bed, where industry entities can work with MPA to develop maritime solutions before real-world application.
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Access to the system will be “carefully managed”, and its roll-out to the wider industry, maritime researchers, and academia will be based on identified use cases, said MPA.
Currently, the MDT models Singapore port waters and infrastructure, which includes piers, ferry terminals, and port terminals, but more assets could be included in the future as more use cases are identified, said the authority.
Singapore Maritime Week 2025 runs until Mar 28 at the Suntec Convention Centre and is expected to see more than 20,000 attendees from around 80 countries.
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