AI-run passenger port with “digital dolphins” planned in Russia
The pilot project is intended as a testbed for a domestic e-Navigation system designed to overhaul the way maritime traffic is managed.
Russia’s federal territory Sirius could become the site of the country’s first passenger seaport fully managed by artificial intelligence.
A single digital operating environment
At the core of the project is the creation of a unified digital operating environment for the port. An AI-driven system using mathematical modelling collects and analyses large volumes of real-time data, including weather conditions, the state of the water area, and vessel movements. So-called “digital dolphins”, sensor devices installed on buoys, monitor berth availability, forming the basis of an intelligent port infrastructure.
This digital transformation addresses several key challenges. It reduces reliance on the human factor, allowing for more reliable and precise vessel traffic management. Integrating all data streams also makes it possible to optimise logistics, cutting vessel turnaround times and reducing idle periods.
An integrated approach to smart ports
The significance of the project extends beyond national borders. A successful launch in Sirius would showcase Russia’s ability to develop competitive, integrated solutions for smart ports, where AI algorithms take on the role of captains. Such systems could become an export product for countries looking to modernise their maritime infrastructure.
