Article • 26.04.2023
Transparency can only be created digitally
Digital twins in the DAKOSY practice
In the classic sense, a digital twin is a virtual image of an object, such as a bridge. But can the model be transferred to logistics? DAKOSY authorized officer Dirk Gladiator has no doubt about it: "For us, transport is the object that we depict digitally."
International cargo shipments, whether sea or air freight, are usually highly complex, and the values of goods are substantial. Many players such as loaders, freight forwarders, shipping companies and terminals are involved in the organization, but no one actually accompanies the transport all the way from the sender to the recipient. "During the five to six weeks that a shipping container, for example, is en route to us from the Far East, it remains physically invisible to those involved," clarifies Gladiator.
Transparency can therefore only be created virtually. This requires time stamps, status information, sensor readings and other real-time data, as well as planning data from the organizers of the respective transport segments, all of which is collected along the transport route. "The data comes together on our Cargo Community platforms for sea and air freight. With their help, we digitally map the transport chains and build digital twins." But DAKOSY does not have a virtually visible port or airport world with ships, aircraft, trucks, terminals and hubs. "Such a form of representation would hardly have any added value for our customers," clarifies Gladiator, citing an example, "A picture of a box on a ship or in the port does not provide any information about whether the goods are on time, made it through customs without delay or have been released. For that, the various pieces of information have to be combined and put into context. That's the added value which we provide."

"The data comes together on our Cargo Community platforms for sea and air freight. With their help, we digitally map the transport chains and build digital twins."

Instead of digital images, DAKOSY works at the neuralgic points with a comprehensive color-coded status system. "Green" indicates that everything is on schedule, "red" indicates a disturbance. This system has already proven its worth. In the case of irregularities, the customer is informed automatically. "This allows logistics operators to take targeted and timely action if necessary, such as rebooking to other modes of transport or a later ship, or making a later pickup/delivery at the port," explains Malte Kantak, Deputy Head of Department PCS.
As long as only the position changes…
"Seen through virtual glasses, a transport passes through phases that are both demanding and less demanding in terms of data technology," Kantak illustrates. It is easy to visualize, he says, as long as the goods stay on one mode of transport, regardless of whether it is a ship, train, truck or airplane. In this case, only the position of the means of transport changes. "At Frankfurt Airport, we receive this real-time data from the information systems of the airport operator Fraport. For sea freight, the increasingly precise forecasts of ship arrivals on their approach to the Port of Hamburg from the HVCC Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center flow into our system," says Kantak.
Transfer hubs have the highest status concentration
Seaports, inland ports, airports and rail freight yards are particularly demanding for virtual representation. Status density and the number of data sources are the highest in these hubs. "Whenever the mode of transport changes and a national border is possibly crossed in the process, many actors come into play. There are numerous interfaces and processes that are triggered. Examples include customs clearances, releases, slot bookings, and reloading. Kantak describes the practical benefits of an overall digital representation as follows: "The better we can show these processes across companies, the more precisely those involved can plan."
DAKOSY intends to answer these logistics forecasting questions with AI in the future
How do you achieve optimal coordination between production management and logistics?
For exports, for example, forecasting methods based on real-time data can be used to calculate the latest time when the goods must be ready for loading in order to reach the designated vessel. It is also possible to plan when the empty container required for this must leave the depot.
Will the containers arrive in time for further loading?
Again in terms of exports, the issue is of particular concern to hubs such as transhipment terminals and inland ports in the hinterland. If the expected movement and arrival of a shipment at the stopover hub can be predicted, the planned buffer time is reduced. The hinterland terminals would be less congested and could be used more efficiently
After discharge at the seaport, which means of transport is likely to be used for further loading of the import container?
For around 20 to 40 percent of containers, it is not known at the time of unloading at the terminal which mode of transport will be used for the next leg of the journey. With the help of AI, it would be possible to make forecasts regarding subsequent loading. The benefit: a storage location can then be chosen so that the distance moved in the yard is as short as possible and the container does not have to be restacked (minimization of container movements). This saves time and money.
Modular structure helps the system to grow
That's why it's so important that as many stakeholders as possible feel responsible for sharing their transport information beyond company boundaries. "More and more companies are docking on our neutral platforms. Numerous authorities such as customs, the water police and the veterinary office are also on board. With each additional participant, the picture becomes more and more granular," Gladiator is pleased to report. The digital twins are made up of many small process segments, such as the port call, the discharge procedure, and the customs and release processes. "The modular design allows our platforms to grow easily. Additional operators, such as empty container depots, inland ports and transporters, can also connect without any technical effort," says Gladiator, pointing out the advantages.
What if?
Of particular value is when planning and forecasting data is incorporated into the digital twins. With this information, the logistics operator can optimize processes, specify pickup times more precisely, reduce waiting times, avoid demurrage fees, and trigger customs processes automatically, even outside normal business hours. By using such data effectively, it is easier to reach the destination much faster and save money. This predictive data is generated using artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms. "We are in the process of developing forecasting methods for activities at the Port of Hamburg and Frankfurt Airport. We want to support our customers by building an optimally-timed transport chain that incorporates resilience in the event of disruptions in the transport process," Gladiator confides.
If unexpected disturbances occur and they can be counteracted so quickly that the actual transport is not even affected by the issue, then the highest degree of digital duplication will have been achieved. DAKOSY has already developed solutions for this as well. For example, the projected ship arrivals flow into the Port Community System of the Port of Hamburg. If a ship is expected to be delayed, a red status signals the anticipated irregularity. Pick-ups or deliveries can be rescheduled in such a way that they can be made in good time.
Examples of digital twins at DAKOSY
In the DAKOSY community systems, customers can monitor when their goods will be available and can plan in a precisely timed manner. The readiness for pickup is usually composed of different statuses. Among the most important are:
- The terminal or handling agent no longer has custody (customs).
- The release is done (sea cargo). The handover certificate is available (air freight).
- Container / equipment is undamaged, in condition for delivery.
- Dangerous goods checks (air freight) have been conducted.
- Release is received from other authorities involved.
Customs automation offers a time savings of up to several days. For sea freight, the forwarder sends all information for "preliminary customs clearance" to the Import Management Platform (IMP) approximately ten days before the ship arrives. By submitting in advance, customs has time to perform a check while the containers are still at sea. As soon as the container is discharged, the final customs procedure is triggered automatically via IMP – even outside normal office hours. The cargo can be seamlessly picked up by the trucker without any waiting time. In air freight, DAKOSY offers similar options to speed up customs clearance.
The community platforms provide notifications if a transport will not go as planned - if requested, also proactively as an alert message. Examples of this are vessel or flight delays. Customs checks, such as an inspection, are also displayed so that those involved can react promptly. Another example is container damage. If the goods have to be physically re-stowed in a new container, the new container number is displayed in the DAKOSY system and the corresponding customs processes are also assigned to it.