Future-Proofing Ports: The Digital Twin Revolution

Across Europe, ports are facing growing pressure from extreme weather events that threaten their operations and infrastructure. In response, the SAFARI project is turning to innovation and simulation to stay ahead of the challenges.

At the Université de Lille, Blaise Conrard and his team at Polytech Lille / CRIStAL Lab are pioneering a new approach to resilience through a powerful combination of Digital and Physical Twin Simulators. These tools make it possible to anticipate and model how ports will perform under stress, long before disruptions occur.

The Digital Twin acts as a virtual environment where engineers can test and refine strategies under simulated extreme conditions, while the Physical Twin Simulator validates those models through real-world experimentation. Together, they form a dynamic system that links data, engineering, and decision-making, helping ports prepare, adapt, and respond faster when faced with floods, storms, or equipment failures.

By shifting from reactive measures to predictive planning, Blaise and his team are helping transform how port resilience is built and maintained. Their work is a cornerstone of SAFARI’s mission to ensure that ports remain operational, sustainable, and ready for the future.

🎥 Watch the interview with Blaise Conrard: