Romanian operator UMEX has harnessed a digital twin of its port infrastructure in Constanta on the Black Sea coast to comprehensively monitor the entire ship unloading process while sustainably increasing energy efficiency and productivity
UMEX used the Nemetschek Group’s cloud-based digital twin platform dTwin to create a digital replica of the berths, storage areas and warehouses linked with key figures on productivity, warehouse utilisation, operating volume and loading efficiency.
It also includes real-time information on building structure and energy consumption.
UMEX operates five berths for bulk and liquid goods, as well as bagged cargoes and general cargoes like steel products, timber or project cargo. Open spaces, warehouses and a specialised infrastructure ensure that UMEX can cover all of its customers’ freight needs.
From BIM model to digital twin
Constantly growing freight volumes and many complex activities running in parallel required UMEX to optimise its loading and unloading operations and make them more efficient.
In addition, UMEX was looking to offer innovative solutions that could not be found in a traditional port terminal. To get a clear overview of data-driven metrics such as handling volumes, productivity, warehouse utilisation and loading efficiency, as well as personnel, equipment and energy costs, the UMEX team had already been using state-of-the-art technologies such as monitoring platforms for some time and also created BIM models of its warehouses.
However, some of the heterogeneous data was only available on site or via various online platforms.
dTwin as a “single source of truth”
The company was looking for a solution that would integrate all visualisations of the complex – from BIM models to panoramic images – as well as data from different platforms in a digital twin.
Nemetschek partner ALLBIM.NET presented UMEX with the cloud-based SaaS platform dTwin from Nemetschek.
This enabled port buildings and infrastructure such as cranes to be precisely visualised in 3D in the context of the port environment. Real-time data from IoT sensors was also integrated. This created a digital twin for visual analyses, simulations and optimisations.
Only by combining building and system information with real-time data from building operations can digital twins unfold their full potential. As a “single source of truth”, dTwin brings this information together clearly on a central platform and enables a 360-degree view of the port facility’s buildings and infrastructure.
“The development of the strategy, the setup and the fine-tuning of the platform to our needs were carried out in close cooperation with the dTwin team and went smoothly,” says Daniel Nistorescu, project and investment manager at UMEX.
The platform provides management with a clear picture of the entire operating process at all times in order to improve energy efficiency and productivity. Anomalies and deviations are visualised at-a-glance, using heat maps.
“With dTwin, we can analyse running costs almost in real time. This makes it possible to optimise solutions and tariffs for our customers so that they can optimally discharge or load their cargo,” said Cristian Taranu, general manager of UMEX.
UMEX integration with the digital twin ready in short time
Thanks to the plant’s existing BIM model and IoT systems, an operational digital twin was created for UMEX in just one week. The adjustments and fine-tuning of the platform took another two months.
“Together with the UMEX team, we were able to develop tailor-made solutions in dTwin that directly address the specific challenges of our customer,” says Dr. Jimmy Abualdenien, head of digital twin product at the Nemetschek Group.
UMEX is currently working on integrating state-of-the-art port cranes and scaling up to other terminals. The platform can be easily adapted and expanded to include additional sensors and systems.
Management and departments benefit from comprehensive real-time information on the productivity of depots and facilities. This increases efficiency and helps to optimise processes. This makes the dTwin a real game changer in the port.
