Flow of Terminal Operations: Redefining Operational Control

How much more efficient could your teams be if they could see every move as it happens, and act on it immediately? For many terminal operators, this question is no longer theoretical. The answer lies in the next wave of operational control: cloud-based digital twins that let users see, understand, and manage performance at every level, helping control room users identify and remedy problems at the source in real-time.

When Terminals are running operations with tractor trailer (TT) fleets, the entire system hinges on one thing: flow. Performance depends on how fluidly tractor trailers are positioned at the ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, how quickly they’re able to move containers to the stack, and how efficiently they return to repeat the process. If tractor trailers experience delays at the stack or are not in position for the STS, productivity drops, moves per hour decline, and vessel departure is delayed. But what if you knew exactly where every TT was at all times? What if delays were visible to operators the moment they occurred, or before they even happened?

This kind of insight allows operators to react immediately. Operators can check in with a driver, identify the source of delay and dispatch a replacement if needed, resulting in fewer disruptions, smoother operations, and less uncertainty across the supply chain. Creating the environment for a fast, efficient supply chain is the key to increasing customer satisfaction and reducing costs.

Efficiency across the terminal is non-negotiable. From forecasting demand and planning vessel arrivals to stacking, storage, and throughput at the gate and rail, each stage must operate in sync. However, with disruptions being a daily reality, operators must find a way to remain agile when problems arise.

Staying agile requires a full ecosystem of technologies, such as Terminal Operating Systems (TOS), equipment control systems, GPS, OCR, gate systems, and more. But with these systems often operating in silos, the data they generate cannot be easily combined to present a full picture for the user. To make real-time decisions, operators need a complete unified operational view that can consolidate and contextualize this data and show where the problems are coming from.

A connected TT, for example, can tell us how long a move takes and where the trailer is located. Using this data, users can clearly see whether the next move is on time or will be delayed. With smart workflows and a digital twin, control room teams gain a clear picture of both the forest and the trees, tracking macro-level trends while diving into the smallest operational detail.

This connected view also enables operators to replay and review past operations. By combining data across systems, users can discover previously hidden inefficiencies such as planning strategies or execution parameters that impacted vessel turnaround time. What once required hours of analysis across separate tools is now visible in one clear interface.

When you empower control teams and continuous improvement teams to identify and act on root causes in real time, the whole process improves. Operational flow becomes smoother, decisions become smarter, shippers receive freight on time, and operators reduce both cost and emissions. And the potential goes even further; consider the impact of reducing unladen vehicle traffic, which often accounts for up to a third of transport costs and a significant portion of CO₂ emissions. In a terminal running 100+ TTs per vessel visit, the environmental and economic savings add up fast.

The holy grail of the supply chain has always been total transparency, knowing where your cargo, containers, and equipment are at any given moment. With digital twins, embedded sensors, advanced workflows, and increasingly intelligent platforms, that reality is now finally within reach.

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More News & Events

SAFARI Project Receives SOCINFO Digital Award

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May 1, 2026

April 30, 2026

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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NextPort speakers at CTAC 2026

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April 7, 2026

March 31, 2026

There is less than a month to go until we’re back at the Container Terminal Automation Conference in Valencia, Spain.

This year, in addition to participating as Bronze Sponsors, we’re proud to join industry peers on stage to share practical insights and real‑world experience. If you’re attending CTAC Europe, make sure you don’t miss these sessions:

- Automation vs. Performance: How can the promised benefits of automation really be achieved? — with Christian Blauert, SVP and Global Director - Port and Terminal Development at Moffatt & Nichol.

- From systems to capabilities: Rethinking technology adoption in container terminals — with Oscar Pernia, Chief Technology Officer at NextPort.

- How container terminals can convert digital visibility into operational advantage — with Andy Barrons, Chief Commercial Officer at NextPort.

- Building the data backbone to enable automation and AI — with Oscar Pernia.

Please visit our stand in the main exhibition area, where we'll be on hand to give you a live demonstration of NextPort.

We look forward to connecting with you there.

NextPort 2.0: Evolving Digital Twin Technology for Ports and Terminals

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March 9, 2026

March 4, 2026

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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Why NextPort

"It has been a pleasure collaborating on the pilot and adoption of the Digital Twin solution, and on building a reliable and efficient data backbone to support it. This is a strong first step, and I look forward to the next phase focused on impact assessment and value realization through deep integration with processes and technology."

"I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work of the NextPort team, whose strong commitment, technical expertise, and consistent support were instrumental to the successful delivery of the project."

“What motivates me every day at work is knowing that what we build contributes to making terminals greener. Beyond the technology, the best part of my job is interacting with customers; listening to their needs, understanding their challenges, and working together to turn ideas into real, sustainable solutions. Those conversations are where innovation really starts.”

"I am really excited about the technologies being used here, as they align perfectly with my interests. On top of that, the team is full of talented and motivated professionals, making it a great environment to learn and grow while also contributing. Being part of a young and dynamic team makes the experience even more engaging and rewarding."

"I’m here for two reasons: an incredible team and a truly innovative product. That combination makes every day exciting and full of possibilities."

"NextPort offers the unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a product that addresses the daily challenges faced by professionals in the Ports environment. We take advantage of cutting-edge technologies and the latest in Artificial Intelligence to offer innovative solutions. Additionally, NextPort fosters a collaborative environment where our team, makes the journey of creating advanced products rewarding and engaging."