NextPort
News & Events

The European Union Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) Observatory, which monitors how carbon costs are affecting maritime transport and port competitiveness, has released its second report tracking activity at EU gateway ports. As the consortium's digital twin and technology partner, NextPort develops and operates the data platform that powers the analysis.

Among its findings, the report shows that the share of long-haul transport work handled by major European Union gateway ports declined from 67% to 57% between Q1 2023 and Q1 2026, reinforcing the need to monitor potential shifts in cargo flows and port activity.

The EU-ETS is convened by Puertos del Estado, the Spanish government agency for state owned Spanish ports. This latest report measures the influence these costs have on shipping routes, port calls, cargo flows, and flags potential traffic diversion from European Union ports to nearby non-European Union hubs.

The report extends the analysis period to March 2026 and adds container-level tracking, helping the Observatory see where cargo moves after reaching European and nearby non-European ports. This makes it easier to identify changes in port choice, transshipment activity and feeder connections.

The Observatory is an initiative of Puertos del Estado, developed with Shipping Business Consultant (SBC), the Centre for Transport Innovation (CENIT) and NextPort.

The platform combines vessel tracking, port-call information, emissions data and shipping service intelligence. With container-level data, it can connect vessel movements with cargo movements, helping analysts identify rerouting, weaker connectivity and possible traffic gains for non-European Union hubs.

For NextPort, the report shows how digital technology can turn operational, emissions and container data into practical evidence to help authorities assess the European Union Emissions Trading System, protect port competitiveness and respond early to unintended network shifts.

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An initiative to improve port resilience using NextPort’s digital twin technology has received a prestigious award for digital innovation.

The SAFARI project (Safe, ClimAte Resilient Infrastructure) was recognized as an award winning initiative in the category ‘Application of Emerging Technologies in the Port Sector.’ It was presented at the SOCINFO Digital Awards, where the award was received jointly with the project partners: the Port Authority of Seville, Sener, the University of Seville and Todobarro, highlighting the collaborative nature of the initiative.

The SOCINFO Digital Awards recognize digital transformation projects that deliver tangible impact across public administrations and strategic sectors. For the 2026 awards, special emphasis was placed on TIC Ports (Puertos TIC), recognizing organizations that are driving the digital transformation of the port sector through advanced technologies such as digital platforms, digital twins, artificial intelligence, automation and energy efficient solutions.

Funded by the Horizon Europe program, the SAFARI project aims to strengthen the resilience of port infrastructure by integrating advanced technologies and adopting a data driven approach. The project focuses on improving the capacity of port environments to anticipate, respond to and recover from climate related and operational risks, supporting safer and more resilient infrastructure management.

Oscar Pernia, Chief Technology Officer at NextPort said: “Digital twins are increasingly applied to multiple domains in ports. Their applications supports ports in optimizing their resources and assets, as well as further ensuring safe navigation and logistic resiliency, particularly in the context of a changing climate. NextPort's developments with Port of Sevilla and Sener in this area are key. Congratulations to the SAFARI team on this accolade, reflecting the collaboration and expertise that has gone into the project and the beneficial outcomes already being realized.”

At the Port of Seville, SAFARI is being implemented through the development of a comprehensive digital ecosystem that brings together a digital twin of infrastructure and operations, with real time data integration, predictive models and early warning systems, and advanced sensor networks. NextPort is responsible for developing the digital twin for SAFARI project, conceived as a unified platform that integrates information from vessels, infrastructure, port operations, services, ocean meteorological conditions and regulatory frameworks. NextPort’s digital twin acts as an integration and intelligence layer, connecting processes, systems and people, and transforming information generated by the platform into actionable alerts and operational context.

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At NextPort, we are advancing the future of port and terminal operations through next‑generation digital twin technology.

Built as a dynamic, real‑time replica of each customer’s facility, our platform brings together vast and varied data sources —from equipment activity to meteorological and ocean conditions— to deliver the information that gives terminal control rooms insight right when it’s needed.

By transforming data from a complex operational landscape into clear, actionable intelligence, NextPort helps users anticipate issues, optimize performance, and make smarter decisions over time.

So, what’s new in our latest version called NextPort 2.0:

Increased terminal visibility

Our platform for terminals now enables users to see on one screen all the activities associated with ship arrivals and berth planning, giving a one-page overview and creating a central place to manage each call. This enhancement improves predictability and optimization in terminal operations and supports better alignment with port authorities.

Improved alerting system

We've redesigned how alerts work to make them simpler to configure and easier to understand at a glance. Our workflow management application enables control room operators to quickly see what's important, set individual thresholds for alarm activation, and respond faster when things go off track in the terminal.

What‑if scenario modeling

NextPort is testing a new module that enables users to model scenarios and evaluate different allocation options for nautical and technical resources, reducing risk in decision-making. This means port scenarios and their outcomes can be compared before any operational changes are made, allowing decisions to be based on real constraints and actual port activity.

Real‑time weather and ocean conditions information

Even more data sources can now be integrated into the platform. By incorporating metocean variables and alarms that alert when conditions cross safety thresholds, port operators can now adjust plans proactively instead of reacting to problems.

Emission analytics and EU-ETS impact assessment

By combining different maritime data sources NextPort now is modeling vessel fleets, routes and port calls: aggregating a new dimension to our port call optimization focus. Our analytical tools apply EU-ETS regulatory framework to analyze its impact at ports, for port authorities analyzing their competitiveness and ocean transport networks evolution.

NextPort 2.0 is another step in our continuous journey to refine, expand, and elevate the digital twin experience for ports and terminals.

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The digital twin is a virtual, real-time representation of terminal operations.

It enables online visualization of activities across the equipment fleet — including terminal tractors, container handlers, and STS and RTG cranes — supporting improved situational awareness, performance monitoring and operational decision-making.

All terminal equipment is fitted with the Black Dog card, a telemetry device developed in-house by STI’s Reliability team. The system enables the real-time transmission of operational data to a central platform, supporting both operations and maintenance planning.

The expanded use of telemetry is also expected to support more sustainable operations.

By optimizing transport routes and reducing fuel consumption and equipment wear, the platform has the potential to lower emissions and contribute to a reduced carbon footprint.

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We’re pleased to announce the release of NextPort’s NXP Terminals v1.5, which includes a targeted set of improvements that streamline how users interact with the platform. These updates are aimed at making terminal operations more intuitive, insightful, and responsive. From real-time 3D visualization to enhanced alarm management, this release reflects our ongoing commitment to providing our users with innovative new ways of managing terminal operations.

Some of the new features included in the update are:

TopView — 3D Visualization

3D Visualization is now available in our TopView application, offering real-time, interactive, and spatially accurate views of terminal operations. Users are now able to visualize equipment and vessels in motion with enhanced detail and scale accuracy.

Key Benefits:

• Real-time, 3D monitoring of terminal equipment.

• Interactive features like click and hover for CHEs, and follow modes for TTs.

FlowOps — Alarm filtering by role and type

FlowOps’s historical alarms tab now better aligns with user roles, only displaying alarms that are relevant to each user. Additionally, users now have the ability to filter by alarm type as well as by name.

Key Benefits:

• Cleaner and more relevant alarm views for each user.

• Improved usability and faster access to critical alerts.

• Enhanced filtering for better operational visibility.

LeanIQ — New Live Performance Dashboard

Updates to the LeanIQ application now include a set of new dashboards as well as performance improvements. These dashboards are fully integrated with Power BI pipelines and dataflows.

Key Benefits:

• Dashboards are now aligned with shift times for improved workflow visibility.

• New versions of the “Performance” and “Alarms” live dashboards are now available.

NextPort Terminals v1.5 is another step forward in building a more integrated, data-driven terminal environment. These updates are designed to provide greater clarity for users, increase system responsiveness, and support smoother terminal operations.

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Moffatt & Nichol has become an official endorsing organization for the International Taskforce Port Call Optimization (ITPCO), an internationally recognized and neutral working group that has developed standards for ship to shore information exchange.

The endorsement extends to Moffatt & Nichol’s operational digital twin company, NextPort. NextPort’s technology solution for ports and terminals brings together previously siloed information and standardizes it to the Terminal Industry Committee, TIC 4.0, initiative. Through this collated data, the software is not only able to troubleshoot immediate operational problems, but gather long term data to enable operational improvements at a strategic level.

The aim of ITPCO is to reduce and optimize vessel berth time at ports. It’s advancing best practice globally by moving from a siloed approach where there’s improvement at just one port, to working at a strategic level to bring about a sustained improvement.

Miluše Tichavska, Green Ports Director at Moffatt & Nichol, said: “Global supply chains are complex systems which rely on transparency and collaboration to keep moving. By endorsing the International Taskforce Port Call Optimization (ITPCO), we hope to support the industry as it works as one to increase efficiency.”

Dr. Oscar Pernia, Chief Technology Officer at NextPort, said: “Our technology connects information across metocean, vessel schedules and positions, and marine operations events. Endorsing ITPCO is key enabler for interoperability across systems, and we are active contributors to adoption of its standard data models and API.”  

Captain Ben van Scherpenzeel. ITPCO Chairman, said: “ITPCO welcomes parties who harmonize their solutions with the IMO and IHO standards as an endorser of ITPCO.”

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Originally posted here.

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