At the conference to implement the Government's Action Program for Resolution 24-NQ/TW, held on November 26, Portcoast Consultant Corporation (Portcoast) introduced the digital model application of the Cai Mep-Thi Vai (CM-TV) seaport system. This is a modern digital model for seaport management, investment, and planning, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau is the first province to develop this model.
Delegates visited the digital model of the Cai Mep-Thi Vai seaport system
Inevitable Development Trend
Mr. Pham Anh Tuan, CEO of Portcoast, stated that as a consulting unit in the field of ports and marine works, Portcoast understands the necessity of applying the achievements of Industry 4.0 technology to quickly complete the goal of digitalizing port infrastructure, moving towards building smart ports as an inevitable development trend.
Therefore, Portcoast has intensified investment in digitalization and researched the implementation of Digital Twins for many large ports and port clusters in Vietnam and abroad, typically at CM-TV. A special characteristic of ports is that they include both above-ground and underwater structures. Hence, Portcoast utilizes both technologies and equipment for digitalizing structures on both land and underwater.
With an advanced 3D laser scan system and technology, Portcoast has built a nearly complete digital model of port infrastructure, integrating the Building Information Modeling (BIM) system for each structure with the 3D Geographic Information System (GIS). Ba Ria-Vung Tau is currently the first and only province in the country to build a digital model of its seaport system.
Mr. Tran Tan Phuc, Chairman of Portcoast's Board of Directors, added that digitalization will help maximize operational capacity, operational safety, minimize incidents affecting the environment, and help the port system integrate into the development process of the global seaport and maritime transport ecosystem. This is one of the typical projects on digital models of infrastructure and urban works that Portcoast has implemented to meet the modernization requirements in the new industrial era, keeping pace with the general development trend of the port community worldwide.
Digitalizing Seaport Infrastructure
At a working session with Ba Ria-Vung Tau province on the "Detailed Planning of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Seaport Land and Water Areas for the 2021-2030 Period, Vision to 2050" in February 2022, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Sang, Deputy Minister of Transport, stated that the CM-TV port area is the gateway to the sea for the Southern Key Economic Region, and also the largest and most important gateway for integration and trade with the world by sea in the South. This is an international exchange hub for the entire Southern region, especially the Southern Key Economic Region. Given its important role, digitalizing the port system from planning, management, to operation holds great significance, helping authorities, investors, and operators manage and operate seaports more efficiently.
Renderings of the Cai Mep Ha Logistics Center were created using a digital model
“For Vietnam, the Government has outlined strategies with the goal of transforming our nation into a strong maritime country, which includes the task of developing the seaport system. Therefore, applying the achievements of science and technology to the seaport system, suitable for the new development phase, is the shortest path for Vietnam's seaport system to develop in parallel with leading maritime nations worldwide,” said Mr. Nguyen Xuan Sang.
The Power of Digital Models
According to Portcoast CEO Pham Anh Tuan, the digitalization model of seaport infrastructure (digital twin) allows for researching the development of spatial planning, geometric details, or the coordinates and elevations of any point of a structure. The model also provides a thorough view of underground technical infrastructure, riverbeds, geological strata, and information related to management, maintenance, and upkeep.
In the future, the model will also enable the recreation of ongoing activities within the port system, setting up simulation scenarios for all port operations, such as traffic activities and potential incident situations. From this, response scenarios can be built, leading to the comprehensive completion of the seaport management system, meeting the trend of smart port development in the Industry 4.0 era.
