On the occasion of the 2020 Together Apart Annual Convention and Expo, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the Port of Montreal’s Digital Twin project received an Award of Excellence. Annually presented by the AAPA, various awards recognize port technology accomplishments in the areas of Port Operations and Management Systems and Improvements in Intermodal Freight Transportation. The Montreal Port Authority captured the 2020 award in the Port Operations and Management Systems category.

“We appreciate every entrant and congratulate every winner in this year’s AAPA awards programs for investing the time to prepare their entries, get peer review from the judges, share their work, and highlight best practices and lessons learned in their respective competitions,” said Christopher J. Connor, AAPA president and CEO.

The digital twin project, developed in partnership with software developer PreVu3D and drone operating company ARA Robotics as part of the Port of Montreal’s innovation cell at Centech, integrated three-dimensional modelling of all port territory into interactive software developed by PreVu3D. Thanks to the thousands of high-resolution photos of the 965 hectares that make up Montreal’s vast port territory scanned by ARA Robotics drones, this immense space can now be accessed virtually.

The tool can be used for all kinds of purposes, such as creating a training platform for security and fire prevention staff, infrastructure planning and development, remote presentations to clients, and even augmented reality tours of the Port as part of the All Aboard! exhibition at the Port Centre, located at the Grand Quay of the Port of Montreal. It supports a strategic development vision focussed on innovation and visionary technologies. (Photo Port of Montreal)