The technology company NextPort, based in the Campo de Gibraltar and co-founded by the Algeciras native Óscar Pernía, has captured the attention of officials and companies linked to the ports of Antwerp (Belgium) and Hamburg (Germany) during its participation in the Container Terminal Automation Conference (CTAC) held in Valencia. Operators from these two docks, which are among the main container hubs in Northern Europe, have shown interest in the port digitalization solutions developed by the Spanish firm.
NextPort developed during the conference a series of presentations of its service portfolio, among which the main product is the Digital Twin, a solution that has already been successfully implemented in Malta. This technology constitutes a virtual replica of the port terminal that reproduces its operations in real time, allows for process optimization, and provides predictive capabilities through the analysis of data from multiple sources.
The port of Antwerp-Bruges recorded a traffic of 13.8 million TEUs in 2024, making it the second largest container port in Europe after Rotterdam. For its part, Hamburg, the main German port, handled 8.4 million TEUs in the same period. The interest of operators linked to both facilities in NextPort's solutions reflects the growing demand for digitalization tools in European container terminals.
The architecture of NextPort's Digital Twin is based on the integration of real-time and historical data from various operational sources. The system processes information related to container movement, ship activity, the status of handling equipment, and weather conditions, among other variables, to generate a virtual representation of the terminal that allows decision-making based on simulated scenarios.
The system's predictive capability enables the identification of operational patterns and the anticipation of potential incidents before they materialize. In the area of congestion management, the analysis of container flow and ship activity allows for the forecasting of saturation situations in certain areas of the terminal, facilitating the adoption of preventive measures by operators.
Among the system's functionalities is the optimization of resource allocation, internal route planning, and coordination of operation schedules, elements that directly impact the reduction of waiting times and improvement of terminal productivity. These parameters are critical in facilities with high traffic volumes, where operational inefficiencies translate into significant costs for shipping companies and logistics operators.
The Digital Twin also incorporates predictive maintenance capabilities through the sensorization of cranes and other handling equipment. The system monitors in real time the condition of the machinery and detects anomalies that could lead to breakdowns, allowing for maintenance interventions to be scheduled before failures occur that would halt operations. This predictive approach reduces unplanned downtime and extends the lifespan of assets.
The integration of real-time weather data is another of the system's functionalities. The platform can anticipate adverse weather events that may affect port operations, providing terminal managers with information for the adoption of safety measures and rescheduling of operations when conditions require it.
The CTAC conference, held annually in Valencia, brings together professionals from the container terminal sector specializing in automation and digitalization. The event serves as a reference forum for the presentation of technological solutions applied to port operations, with participation from terminal operators, equipment suppliers, and software companies from the main global port markets.
NextPort has solidified its position in the market for digital solutions for the port sector following the implementation of its Digital Twin in Malta. The expansion into Northern European markets, where some of the highest volumes of container traffic on the continent are concentrated, represents a growth opportunity for the Campo de Gibraltar company in a segment characterized by increasing investment in automation and data analysis technologies.
The container terminal sector is undergoing a process of digital transformation accelerated by the need to increase operational efficiency in a context of growing maritime trade and pressure on existing port infrastructures. Solutions based on digital twins, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics rank among the technologies with the highest adoption projection in the coming years, according to forecasts from major consulting firms in the sector.
Ports in Northern Europe, which channel a significant proportion of the foreign trade of Central European economies, have intensified investments in digitalization as a means to maintain their competitiveness against facilities in the southern continent and absorb traffic increases resulting from the reconfiguration of global supply chains.
NextPort's presence at the CTAC conference and the interest generated among operators from Antwerp and Hamburg place the Campo de Gibraltar company on the radar of key players in the European port sector, at a time when the demand for digitalization solutions continues to rise.