Ports & Waterways Digitalization Lab (PWD Lab)

The "Ports and Waterways Digitalization Lab" stands at the frontline of an ambition, leveraging the capabilities of digital technology to pioneer a paradigm shift in the administration of ports and waterways. We recognize the intrinsic connection between the water transport system and the physical environment, and our work is dedicated to optimizing this synergy.
In a rapidly evolving world, our researchers are driven by the pursuit of knowledge and innovation. We explore the cutting edge of technology, embracing the use of sensors, data collection systems, and advanced communication systems. One of our objectives is to gather comprehensive data on port and waterway operations, offering us unprecedented insights into the intricacies of these dynamic systems.

A pivotal focus of our work involves applying the concept of digital twinning. We create virtual replicas of these complex systems and networks, enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analysis, and informed decision-making. By having a digital twin, we can simulate various scenarios, analyze potential bottlenecks, and optimize operational strategies, all while minimizing risks and downtime. This groundbreaking approach to digitalization not only enhances the efficiency of port and waterway management but also serves as a forward-looking tool that ensures operations remain resilient in the face of change. 
We further delve into the development of advanced simulation models, optimization methods, and data analytics. These tools empower us to enhance operational efficiency, streamline logistical processes, and reduce potential disruptions. By fine-tuning our understanding of port and waterway dynamics, we enable more efficient resource allocation, smoother traffic flow, and faster response to emerging challenges.

Embracing digital innovation, our lab serves as the vanguard of a new era in port and waterway management. We lead a transformation toward intelligent, data-driven decision-making, placing our maritime infrastructure at the forefront of efficiency and adaptability. In this digital age, we strive to create more resilient, responsive, and future-ready port and waterway systems. Through our commitment to technological advancement, we ensure that the global trade industry continues to thrive and evolve in a rapidly changing world. 
 

Research Programs

Research conducted within the Ports & Waterways’ labs is dedicated to advancing innovation, with a focus on economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally sustainable maritime design and operations, including its logistic chains. Our research is often carried out in close collaboration with other faculties TU Delft and organizations such as Port of Rotterdam, Rijkswaterstaat, Deltares, consulting firms, and contractors.

The Ports & Waterways Digitalization Lab has been actively engaged in several research programs, contributing to the development and improvement of maritime operations:
•    Port Research Centre Rotterdam – Delft (PRC)
•    Rijkswaterstaat Inland Waterways
•    Integral Planning of Delta (IPOD)
•    Delft Infrastructures and Mobility Initiative (DIMI)
•    SALTISolutions
•    PATH2ZERO

Port Research Centre Rotterdam (PRC) – Delft
PRC Delft University of Technology carries out research on topics that are relevant to the Port of Rotterdam (PoR). During the past years, this generated very innovative concepts, such as the foldable container and the Floating Container Crane, which are presently being developed. However, the program also gives opportunities for MSc studies to be carried out at PoR.

Rijkswaterstaat Inland Waterways
Presently, inland water transport has to face changes due to the increasing transport of cargo over water, a shift to more container transport, and changes in ship dimensions. Moreover, international developments offer challenges to connect European regions. Therefore, Rijkswaterstaat and TU Delft started to develop ideas on how to maintain the functions and structure of the inland navigation system. The intention of the discussions is to realize a long-term cooperation that benefits inland navigation.

Integral Planning of Delta (IPOD)
Deltas are the areas where urbanization and economic development take place rapidly and on a massive scale. However, these areas are often vulnerable to flooding and urbanization increases the pressure on the natural habitats in these areas. There is a worldwide demand for a planning method that can contribute to a balanced development between safety, ecological value, economic growth, and quality of the living environment. IPOD was a research about the planning and design methods in the southwestern Dutch delta.

Delft Infrastructures and Mobility Initiative (DIMI)
DIMI is a research involving different faculties of the Delft University of Technology. It focuses on the research areas of water and transport-related infrastructure and mobility. Ports & Waterways Labs do research under the branch of Sustainable Mainports and Hubs. The research is about the Port of the Future. In the long-term plan of the Port of Rotterdam, the port wants to be the most sustainable port in the world. How can this be achieved and what can be expected of future economic developments?

SALTISolutions
The availability of freshwater is under pressure in deltas throughout the world. Salty seawater is penetrating further up the rivers due to human intervention, such as the deepening of waterways, as well as climate change. Within SALTISolutions, the researchers, together with the partners involved such as Rijkswaterstaat, water boards, port authorities, and dredging companies, are producing a virtual model (digital twin) of the Rhine-Meuse Delta. This model will integrate knowledge about processes on various spatial and time scales: from turbulent flows at the smallest scale level to the consequences of climate change in the long-term. They will use this to predict how, where, when, and how long salt from seawater will penetrate, and how measures such as implementing nature-based solutions influence the freshwater supply.

PATH2ZERO
The PATH2ZERO project aims to guide the transition to zero-emission practices in inland shipping by involving key stakeholders like skippers, shippers, and funding institutions. This is accomplished through the creation of a digital twin, a virtual replica of the inland shipping system, which assesses the efficiency of zero-emission strategies. The digital twin models three essential components: Individual Vessels, Logistic Chains, and Infrastructure.
The project considers various interventions, from innovative vessel technologies to policy measures. It also allows stakeholders to test different future scenarios for the most efficient path to zero-emission shipping.

Furthermore, there are various Ph.D. studies ongoing at the lab:

• Deep learning to evaluate the competitive performance of ports & waterways network configurations
• RWS, investigating the impact of container transport on IWT

Every year, our research labs host several intriguing Master's projects. Here, you can see a few selected ones:

Simulation Tools

Open source Transport Network Simulation

OpenTNSim is a python package for the investigation of traffic behavior on networks to compare the consequences of different traffic scenarios and network configurations.

You can check the contents below for information on installation, getting started, and actual example code. If you want to dive straight into the code you can check out our GitHub page or the working examples presented in Jupyter Notebooks.

Open source Complex Logistics Simulation

OpenCLSim is a Python package for rule-driven scheduling of cyclic activities for in-depth comparison of alternative operating strategies

You can check the contents below for information on installation, getting started, and actual example code. If you want to dive straight into the code you can check out our GitHub page or the working examples presented in Jupyter Notebooks.

Open source Terminal Investment Simulation

OpenTISim is a python package for the evaluation of investment decisions for terminals.

You can check the contents below for information on installation, getting started, and actual example code. If you want to dive straight into the code you can check out our GitHub page or the working examples presented in Jupyter Notebooks.

Open source Transport Network Simulation

OpenQTSim is a python package for queueing theory simulations.

You can check the contents below for information on installation, getting started, and actual example code. If you want to dive straight into the code you can check out our GitHub page or the working examples presented in Jupyter Notebooks.

Digital Twin of Dutch Inland Waterways

Since 2020, a collaborative effort has been underway between TU Delft, Deltares, Marin, Witteveen + Bos, SmartPort, Port of Rotterdam, Rijkswaterstaat, Danser, NPRC, and KBN to create a digital twin of the Dutch waterways. The primary objective is to simplify complex analyses and enhance our understanding of these water systems. You can explore our developed digital twin at the Link.

This innovative approach involves the integration of real-world datasets, such as the Fairway Information System by Rijkswaterstaat and hydrodynamic models from Deltares, with agent-based simulation tools. These simulation tools include OpenCLSim and OpenTNSim Python packages developed by TU Delft, as well as models like BIVAS and SIVAK developed by Rijkswaterstaat. This integration is made accessible through a user-friendly interface. This interface empowers users to investigate the behavior of inland waterway transport (IWT) under various scenarios and quantify the potential impact of implementing different sets of measures on the overall system performance. The digital twin developed for the Dutch waterways is open source and available for further development (front end: https://github.com/Deltares/digitaltwin-waterway, back end: https://github.com/TUDelft-CITG/OpenTNSim).

The following figure shows the analysis of transport performance along a user-defined route. Information on the state of the route (water levels – bed levels = available depth), allows users to plan the loading rate of individual vessels. The resultant behavior provides actionable input for ship operators. Not only can they plan their payload beforehand, but they also see when dropping water levels translate to increased fleet occupancy and possibly the need for chartering additional vessels. This type of use was developed in close collaboration with shipping companies like dry bulk operator NPRC and container operator Danser and the branch organization Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland.

Digital twin of Dutch inland waterways - The analysis of transport performance along a user-defined route

Key Publications