Chidambaranar Port becomes first Indian port to launch Digital Twin initiative

• The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tamil Nadu has achieved a major technological milestone by becoming the first port in India to launch the Digital Twin initiative for port management.

• The platform was inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, marking a significant milestone in the port’s journey toward intelligent and technology-driven maritime management.

Salient features of Digital Twin initiative:

• The Digital Twin platform will create a real-time virtual replica of the port’s infrastructure, operational assets, and maritime ecosystem, enabling enhanced operational visibility, predictive analytics, and data-driven decision-making across the port. 

• By integrating advanced technologies such as IoT sensors, GPS tracking, LiDAR mapping, drone imaging, and CCTV networks, the platform will continuously mirror real-time conditions, enabling efficient coordination among all operational departments.

• The platform enables real-time operational monitoring, providing live visualisation of berth occupancy, vessel movements, crane utilisation, and yard capacity across the port. 

• It supports predictive maintenance of cargo handling equipment through AI-based asset monitoring, helping to minimise equipment downtime and improve operational reliability. 

• The system facilitates berth and traffic optimisation by enabling intelligent scheduling of vessels and cargo operations, thereby reducing congestion and waiting time. 

• The platform shall also provide energy and emissions tracking to support data-driven sustainability management and include scenario simulation capabilities.

• The platform is designed to reduce vessel turnaround time by up to 25 per cent.

• The project is being implemented in a phased and planned manner.