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Digital connected infrastructure - PCS, IDS & digital twin

Integrated systems and data-sharing technologies that support the digital transformation of port ecosystems.

DigitalisationInland shippingPort/terminalMarine shippingTrainsTrucks

Introduction

Digital connected infrastructure refers to the integrated systems and data-sharing technologies that support the digital transformation of port ecosystems. This includes Port Community Systems (PCS), International Data Spaces (IDS) and digital twins. Port Community Systems coordinate information exchange between port stakeholders, while International Data Spaces support controlled and trusted data sharing across organisations. Digital twins use these connected data flows to create digital representations of port assets, infrastructure and processes. Together, these components can support more coordinated, interoperable and transparent port operations and provide a stronger basis for planning and decision-making. This factsheet relates to two other factsheets on digital connected infrastructure, e.g. the others are “IoT & 5G” and “AI-Driven Analytics and Monitoring Platforms”. Their relationship is visualized in the figure above.

Value proposition

  • Help port stakeholders exchange information

  • Support secure and controlled data sharing between organisations

  • Creates digital representations of port assets and processes

Port ecosystems often rely on separate systems and data sources, which can limit coordination and make it difficult to create a shared view of operations. PCS help port stakeholders exchange information, IDS support secure and controlled data sharing between organisations, and digital twins use this data to create digital representations of port assets and processes. Together, these solutions can improve coordination, reporting, planning and decision-making across the port community.

Port applicability

PCS, IDS and digital twins can be relevant for ports of all sizes, although the scope and pace of implementation depend on the port’s digital maturity, operational complexity, existing systems and ability to involve relevant stakeholders. Large container and multipurpose ports may have the most immediate value case because they manage complex logistics flows, many stakeholders and large volumes of data. Smaller and inland ports may adopt a more targeted or phased approach, for example by starting with a specific information exchange process, data-sharing use case or digital twin application. These solutions can be used in all port settings, regardless their governance model, although the governance structure may influence responsibilities for investment, system operation, data access and control.

Groups of innovations

  • Port Community Systems (PCS)

    Shared digital platforms that support information exchange and coordination between port stakeholders. PCS are a mature solution with established governance models and can provide an important starting point for standardising data and port processes.

    MAGPIE Energy Matching Tool

  • International Data Spaces (IDS)

    Decentralised data-sharing systems that allow organisations to exchange data securely while keeping control over how it is used. IDS are generally more complex to implement than PCS and can support cooperation between stakeholders, digital twins and energy-matching applications.

    MAGPIE Energy Matching Tool

  • Digital twins (DT)

    Digital representations of port assets, infrastructure or processes that are updated with real-world data. They can be developed use case by use case, for example for a specific asset, system or terminal (vertical path), or as a wider port-level infrastructure twin covering several connected areas and processes (horizontal path). Digital twins can use data from PCS, IDS and other connected systems.

    MAGPIE Smart green logistics tool

  • GHG & energy monitoring tools

    Digital tools for scope-disaggregated emissions tracking and energy balancing. Mandated by FuelEU/AFIR regulatory frameworks; directly depend on IoT and IDS layers.

    MAGPIE Greenhouse Gas Tool

Impact

Impact level per aspect
ImpactLevelRemark
GHG emissionsLarge impact
Supports energy matching, GHG tracking and synchromodal logistics through improved data sharing, indirectly contributing to lower port-related emissions.
Digital port ecosystemVery large impact
Core infrastructure layer for sharing data between port systems and supporting advanced digital services.
Level of automationLarge impact
Shared and connected data can support the coordination and management of automated port operations.
Operational efficiencyLarge impact
Shared data and digital twins improve operational visibility and can help reduce dwell times, congestion, and resource waste.
Internal cooperationMedium impact
Standardised PCS and IDS interfaces facilitate multi-port and cross-border data flows.
SafetyMedium impact
Shared and connected data can improve situational awareness and support coordination during safety incidents.
Human capitalMedium impact
Requires reskilling, reduces manual and paper-based processes, and creates new roles in data management and digital operations.

Port characteristics

Successful implementation requires a minimum baseline of digital readiness: at least a functioning PCS or Maritime Single Window (MSW), willingness to engage in multi-stakeholder data governance, and access to capital for infrastructure investment. Ports with established digital platforms, clear data responsibilities and experience in stakeholder coordination are best positioned for rapid deployment. Ports with legacy terminal management systems and fragmented stakeholder ownership face longer timelines. Organisational maturity — particularly in data governance and cybersecurity — is as determinative as technical capacity.

Barriers and enablers

Enablers

  • Standards & regulationEnabler

    EU regulations, including EMSWe and the Data Act, increase requirements for digital reporting, data availability and standardised data exchange, providing a clear compliance-driven incentive for investment.

  • Stakeholder interactionEnabler

    Early and continuous stakeholder involvement in agreeing responsibilities, common data definitions and data-sharing rules is a key success factor.

  • DirectionalityEnabler

    A “think big, start small” approach allows ports to begin with one high-value use case, such as one PCS process, one IDS application or a digital twin for a specific asset, and expand step by step.

Barriers

  • EconomicBarrier

    High upfront investment for developing or upgrading PCS, introducing IDS connections, building digital twins and linking these solutions to existing systems, with an unclear or long-horizon ROI — particularly for smaller ports.

  • KnowledgeBarrier

    Limited awareness of PCS governance, IDS and data space concepts, and digital twin maturity models across port communities — particularly in smaller or less digitally mature ports — can slow adoption.

  • TechnologyBarrier

    Legacy terminal and operational systems can be difficult to integrate with PCS, IDS connections, digital twins and common data models, often requiring additional interfaces and system adaptation

  • InfrastructureBarrier

    Existing digital platforms, data systems and interfaces may not be able to support the secure and consistent data exchange needed for PCS, IDS and digital twin applications. Additional investment in system integration, cybersecurity, data storage and computing capacity may therefore be required.

How to implement?

  1. Step 1

    Bseline & governance

    Port authority / PCS operator

  2. Step 2

    Standardize & connect

    IDS providers, port authority

  3. Step 3

    Pilot digital twin

    Twin developers, terminal operators

  4. Step 4

    Scale to port level

    All ecosystem actors, inter-port bodies

Timeline

The arrow below represents the expected development of the TRL of PCS, IDS and digital twin.
* Technical Readiness Level

What should a port do in the next 3 years?

Ports do not need mature IDS or full digital twin infrastructure to start building this layer. In the short term, ports without a functioning PCS or Maritime Single Window can prioritise establishing this baseline, since it is a precondition for later IDS and digital twin applications. Ports that already operate a PCS can begin piloting a single IDS use case rather than pursuing ecosystem-wide data space integration from the outset. Digital twin development can similarly start narrow: a vertical, use-case-specific twin (e.g. one terminal or asset) offers a lower-risk entry point than a horizontal, port-wide twin, and can demonstrate value before broader investment is committed. In parallel, ports can use compliance deadlines under EMSWe, AFIR, FuelEU Maritime and the Data Act as a forcing function to align stakeholders around common data definitions and sharing rules, addressing a key governance barrier before technical integration scales up.

Investment overview

Investment requirements increase with the sophistication of the solution. PCS represent the most mature and lowest-risk investment, with established governance models and vendor solutions available, though upgrading legacy systems still carries cost. IDS implementation requires greater investment in integration, security and organisational agreement on data-sharing terms, reflecting its higher technical and governance complexity relative to PCS. Digital twins carry the widest investment range: a narrow, single-asset twin is comparatively affordable, while a horizontal, port-wide twin represents a substantially larger commitment in data infrastructure and cross-system integration. Across all three, ongoing costs include system maintenance, cybersecurity and data governance capacity. Given the unclear ROI horizon, particularly for smaller ports, a phased approach starting with one high-value use case is advised, allowing investment to scale in line with demonstrated value rather than upfront ecosystem-wide commitment.

Stakeholder overview

Below is an overview of the required involved stakeholders.
Blue stakeholders are essential, white stakeholders are enabling

Knowledge base