PORTCOAST LEADS BIM-GIS INTEGRATION FOR PORT AND RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE

By tapchixaydung.vn - 02/05/2025

PORTCOAST applies an integrated suite of modern digital technologies—such as UAVs, 3D laser scanning, geotechnical modeling, and GIS platforms—to unify all planning, design, and operational data across seaport and railway infrastructure projects. The BIM model is continuously updated throughout each project phase and linked with geospatial data on the GIS platform, creating a comprehensive digital foundation to support decision-making, monitor progress, and manage assets effectively. According to Mr. Tran Phuc Minh Khoi—Member of the Board of Directors, Vice General Director, and Director of the Portcoast Digital Transformation Center—this is a sustainable approach that helps Vietnam gradually align with international standards such as ISO 19650, while also opening up practical opportunities to adopt global best practices in domestic infrastructure development.

Comprehensive data integration for port planning

Mr. Tran Phuc Minh Khoi – Deputy General Director of Portcoast Consultant Corporation – shared that for port planning projects, Portcoast simultaneously integrates all planning, traffic, topographic, and design model data on a unified digital platform.

The Building Information Modeling (BIM) model is continuously updated through design, construction, and expansion stages, enabling stakeholders to easily grasp both overall and detailed information about existing ports and future development plans.

Topographic survey data is digitized using advanced technologies such as UAVs, 3D laser scanning onshore and underwater. From this data source, 3D digital models are built to analyze and retrieve technical information such as channel depth, serving port planning and evaluating the capacity to receive large vessels.

Portcoast also digitizes and integrates geotechnical data, foundation materials, and field test results into 3D geological models, connecting them with technical reports and documentation, forming a comprehensive information ecosystem on a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform.

In addition to detailed BIM models, the digital platform also supports the display of summary information at the planning and management levels, suitable even for non-technical users. All technical data such as as-built drawings, digital maps, existing models, and technical reports can be accessed and interacted with online.

Through hydrological simulation, flow modeling, route and port structure design scenarios, Portcoast supports optimal decision-making during the planning phase. The integration of 360 imagery, field survey data, and IoT camera systems on the same platform also allows real-time construction monitoring and status updates.

Toward operation-oriented modeling for railway infrastructure

Regarding railway infrastructure, Mr. Tran Phuc Minh Khoi shared that Portcoast is approaching the process based on international standard ISO 19650, with two levels of modeling: Project Information Model (PIM) and Asset Information Model (AIM).

While most consulting units today stop at basic 3D design models, Portcoast is advancing toward building models that serve operations and asset maintenance – the most crucial aspect of any long-term infrastructure project.

International lessons show that BIM-GIS is not just a trend but has become a standard in many large-scale railway projects globally.

The Rail Baltica project – a railway line connecting Baltic countries to the European network – is a clear example of comprehensive BIM-GIS application, from planning and design to asset management. All infrastructure including stations, bridges, tunnels, and signal systems are modeled and embedded with detailed data to support future operations.

Similarly, in Australia, the Cross River Rail project in Queensland also implements an integrated BIM-GIS strategy, with 3D models connected in real time to digital maps for construction tracking, information coordination, and preparation for long-term asset management.

BIM models are built in sync and directly linked to spatial data (GIS), enabling visualization of the relationship between structures and their urban or surrounding infrastructure context.

These projects demonstrate the importance of implementing BIM-GIS from the outset, not only for design purposes but also to create a foundation for smart operations and maintenance. This is the strategic direction that Portcoast is firmly pursuing for infrastructure projects in Vietnam.