AI-augmented ship traffic digital twin for optimal marine planning and assisting winter navigation in Northen Baltic

Research Project, 2026 – 2027

With increasing activities and port expansions to meet industrial

needs, ship traffic in northern Sweden is expected to increase

threefold. However, uncertain ice conditions with a significant rise

in winter navigation, limited icebreakers and ice-class ships may

jeopardize reliable winter operations, leading to delayed cargo

deliveries, strained infrastructure and increased risks in an already

demanding environment.

To address these challenges, this project will develop a digital twin

(DT) system that integrates AIS ship traffic data, ice charts, port

operations, risk assessment, AI enhanced ship performance

models and winter navigation experiences in the Baltic. The

capability of the DT will be demonstrated for the applications of

1) optimal icebreaker collaboration with reduced risk and more

efficient use of icebreaker resources; 2) reliable decision support of

future planning and operation under wind farm/shipping

interference, and extreme ice events, etc., by scenario-based

simulations.