In a significant stride towards enhancing digital interoperability in the maritime sector, researchers have developed a framework that leverages the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) 4.3 schema to improve data exchange in port and waterway infrastructure projects. The study, led by Guoqian Ren from the College of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University in Shanghai, offers a semantic alignment framework tailored for the unique needs of maritime infrastructure, published in the journal ‘Buildings’ (translated to English).
Traditionally, Building Information Modelling (BIM) practices have fallen short in capturing the intricate, multidisciplinary collaboration required in port and waterway projects. Ren and his team critically evaluated the IFC 4.3 schema, a foundational standard for openBIM, to address this gap. Rather than proposing new schema extensions, the framework interprets existing IFC constructs to model port-specific assets, supporting environmental and geospatial integration.
The research presents two compelling case studies: a master planning project for a shipyard and a design coordination project for a ship lock complex. These examples demonstrate the schema’s capability to facilitate federated modelling, reduce semantic discrepancies, and enable seamless data exchange across disciplines and software platforms.
For maritime professionals, this research opens up new avenues for improving project coordination, reducing errors, and enhancing overall efficiency. The framework provides actionable implementation strategies, helping practitioners navigate the complexities of digital transformation in the sector. It also identifies technical limitations in current toolchains and outlines pathways for advancing standardisation efforts.
Ren emphasizes the importance of this work, stating, “Our framework delivers a scalable, standards-based roadmap to improve interoperability and enhance the digital maturity of port and waterway infrastructure.” The research also contributes to the evolving discourse on digital twins, GIS-BIM convergence, and semantic enrichment in infrastructure modelling.
The commercial impacts of this research are substantial. Improved data interoperability can lead to significant cost savings, reduced project timelines, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. As the maritime sector continues to embrace digital transformation, the adoption of such frameworks will be crucial in driving innovation and efficiency.
In the words of Ren, “This work provides a scalable, standards-based roadmap to improve interoperability and enhance the digital maturity of port and waterway infrastructure.” The study not only addresses current challenges but also paves the way for future advancements in the digitalisation of maritime infrastructure.