Maritime Simulation Digital Twin Discrete-Event Simulation C# / .NET

SingaPort Hybrid Foundation

A next-generation platform for modelling and simulating mega container terminals in digital twins — combining event-based and activity-based simulation for unprecedented fidelity and flexibility.

Explore Architecture Key Features

Funded by Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI)  |  Grant SMI-2022-SP-02  |  Part of C4NGP Phase 2 — Centre of Excellence in Modelling and Simulation for Next Generation Ports

Project Overview

Purpose-Built for Mega Port Planning

SingaPort Hybrid Foundation is a software-based platform designed for container port capacity planning, modelling, and simulation using a unique hybrid simulation methodology — built as an advanced extension of the O²DES framework (Object-Oriented Discrete-Event Simulation on .NET).

Developed by researchers at the Department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management, National University of Singapore, this platform addresses the growing complexity of modern mega container terminals with a level of modelling fidelity and analytical depth unmatched by commercial simulation tools.

From our knowledge, this hybrid approach is unique and not currently available in the marketplace.

SingaPort Hybrid Foundation — Dashboard Screenshot
Core Capabilities

What Sets It Apart

A library-purpose platform that combines the flexibility of event-based simulation with the modularity of activity-based design.

⚡

Event-Based Kernel

Highly flexible modelling engine capable of accommodating diverse and complex simulation scenarios across multi-vessel port operations.

🧩

Activity-Based Modularization

Enhances module reusability and scalability, facilitating collaborative development and easy integration of new port configurations.

💻

Common Language Runtime

Built on C# / .NET with object-oriented design — simplifies integration with optimization components and seamless system connections.

⚙️

Configurable Parameters

Highly flexible adaptation to different layouts and equipment configurations, catering to the specific needs of individual terminals.

🔄

Strategy Extension Interface

Includes default yard allocation and traffic strategies, with the ability to replace them with custom alternatives for full flexibility.

📊

Comprehensive KPIs

Built-in statistical measurement engine tracking GQCR, BOA, WU, TP, QCAC, YCAC, and AGVAC for thorough operational analysis.

System Architecture

Four Integrated Modules

Ships flow through the Sea module, Anchorage, Terminal, and finally return to sea — with the Terminal module encapsulating the full quay-to-yard-to-transport operations.

🌊

Sea Module

Generates PortCalls and initialises container attributes (transshipment, import, export). The ShipForAWeek activity pre-generates export containers before vessel arrival.

⚓

Anchorage

Simplified infinite-capacity anchorage model. Vessels wait here before berthing — no travel time assumed for transit to terminal.

🏗️

Terminal

The operational core — manages QuaySide, Transportation, and YardSide sub-modules covering the full container lifecycle.

QuaySide

Berth allocation, QC scheduling, vessel loading & discharging

Transportation

AGV routing, path planning, yard allocation strategies

YardSide

YC stacking, dwell, reshuffle correction, block management

🏭

Land Module

Generates export containers via ShipForAWeek signal. Export containers are homogenised and arrive uniformly to suppress peak YC occupancy.

Container Entity Flow

QC Discharge
→
AGV Transport
→
YC Stack
→
Dwell
→
YC Unstack
→
AGV Return
→
QC Load
📐 Detailed System Architecture — Event Flow Diagram (EFD)
Fit
SingaPort Hybrid Foundation — Event Flow Diagram
Performance Metrics

Built-In Statistical Measurement

Seven operational KPIs tracked natively by the simulation engine — no post-processing required.

GQCR
Gross Quay Crane Rate
Containers per QC per hour — measures crane utilisation and throughput efficiency
BOA
Berth On Arrival
Rate of vessels receiving a suitable berth within 2 hours of arrival
WU
Wharf Utilisation
Ratio of average used wharf length to total wharf length
TP
Throughput
Annualised terminal throughput in TEU/Year
QCAC
QC Average Count (in use)
Average number of active Quay Cranes during simulation horizon
YCAC
YC Average Count (in use)
Average number of active Yard Cranes during simulation horizon
AGVAC
AGV Average Count (in use)
Average number of active Automated Guided Vehicles during simulation
TEU
Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit
Standard unit for container capacity — 40-ft box = 2 TEU
Technology Stack

Built on Proven Foundations

  • O²DES Framework
    Discrete-Event Simulation kernel — Object-Oriented .NET
    under MIT license
  • PortML.Documents
    Port layout file parsing
    under MIT license

Developed in C# on the .NET platform, SingaPort Hybrid Foundation leverages the O²DES framework as its simulation backbone, extending it with a novel hybrid event/activity-based methodology.

Third-party open-source components are all MIT-licensed, ensuring full transparency and commercial compatibility.

6
Technology Readiness Level

System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment — approaching commercial deployment.

Commercial Value

Real-World Applications

A tool for port operators, planners, and researchers to evaluate capacity, layouts, and operational strategies before committing capital investment.

01

Port Capacity Prediction

Forecast maximum throughput under different vessel mix, equipment counts, and operational policies — before any physical investment.

02

Layout & Scenario Evaluation

Compare alternative terminal layouts, berth configurations, and yard block designs using the same simulation engine and KPI framework.

03

Operation Strategy Validation

Test and validate yard allocation algorithms, AGV dispatching rules, and QC scheduling strategies against baseline and benchmark scenarios.