Abstract
Digital twins can help ports, operators and their customers streamline processes, improve safety, and reduce emissions in transport operations that involve at least a maritime leg. This chapter discusses the necessary context for regulations, port operations, and hinterland capabilities; and frames a general methodology under this context for how port authorities, terminal operators, shipping companies, and logistics operators can implement collaborative, emission reducing practices such as slow steaming and synchro-modality. In short, a federation of digital twins that allows to move information downstream from the ship to the port, then to the hinterland infrastructure as well as upstream the opposite way can enable new levels of operational readiness and efficiency, and importantly environmental compliance. At the same time, apart from the improved general efficiency of all processes associated with transport, shipowners can minimise the need to retrofit existing ships for them to remain compliant with the emissions regulations which are bound to be stricter each passing year.