Germany's Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) will provide approximately €15 million (US$17 million) for the construction of a digital test bed at the Port of Hamburg.
The focus of SANTANA (Services and Data Network Port of Hamburg), a 30 months long project initiated by Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and the German software company DAKOSY Datenkommunikationssystem AG, is the development of a digital infrastructure that is intended to link privately organised logistics and public infrastructure and traffic management even more closely.
The ultimate goal is to create a joint "network of networks", pointed out HPA, which added that the digital service offers are expected to be made more easily accessible via a common marketplace for all stakeholders in port and hinterland transport processes.
Michael Westhagemann, Senator for Economics and Innovation, commented, "This support once again demonstrates the Port‘s national importance. It is essential to leverage previously untapped potential in the networking of multimodal transport and logistics chains, thereby creating both economic benefits and reducing emissions."
"By integrating logistical data into the infrastructure sector, we will achieve a quantum leap in digital transparency. This will further accelerate processes in the port and hinterland," noted Dieter Spark, CEO of DAKOSY.
Together with their associated partners HHLA, EUROGATE and the Hamburg Vessel Coordination Center (HVCC), HPA and DAKOSY will implement a total of six measures in this project to optimise flow control on water, road and rail. Among other things, traffic optimisation on the road network within the port is planned using quantum inspired technology for real-time control of the traffic light network.
"The open design of the test bed will offer an environment with easy access for future innovations from business and science. SANTANA thus forms the basis for the development of digital service and product innovations, for testing under realistic conditions and for integration into port operations," said Jens Meier, CEO of the HPA.
