Computer modelling to support capacity planning at the Port of Milford Haven

A predictive software tool that analyses forecasts of port facility usage and resources is being developed to assist the Port of Milford Haven in anticipating and adapting to changing demands on the Waterway.

STFC Hartree Centre’s supercomputer Scafell Pike (Credit: STFC Hartree Centre)

The work, funded by UKRI Industry Impact Fund, is being undertaken in partnership with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre and will undertake data analysis, programming and machine learning capability to support capacity planning via the development of a modelling tool and user-friendly interface. This work will help decision-making and be used for strategic planning of port resources.

Head of Energy and Decarbonisation at the Port of Milford Haven, Tam Bardell, said “This work is an integral part of our strategic future planning activities. We are delighted to be supported by UKRI Industry Impact Fund to work with STFC’s experts in computational simulation and machine learning. With this software tool, we will be able to collate and analyse shipping forecast, environmental and performance data to help inform our commercial and operational decisions.”

Louis Rowland, Business Development Executive at the STFC Hartree Centre, said “We’re excited to work with the Port of Milford Haven on this project to demonstrate the value that digital technologies like supercomputing and data science can have on transport and logistics. This is a prime example of how cutting-edge technology can drive impactful change in critical sectors.”

The Industry Impact Fund (I2F) is designed to support UK industry through access to STFC facilities and scientific expertise. STFC operates the UK national facilities offering X-rays, neutrons, and lasers alongside high performance computing, enabling the private sector to utilise the expertise and specialist technology to generate industrial and societal impact.

The project commenced in July 2024 and will run until March 2025.

 

Port of Milford Haven

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas.  It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.

The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.

The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites. 

One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Port of Milford Haven is a trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities.  Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes.  All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives. 

For further information, visit www.mhpa.co.uk or contact:

Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
[email protected] 

 

About STFC-UKRI

 

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is the UK’s largest public funder of research into particle and nuclear physics, astronomy and astrophysics, and space science. We operate five national laboratories across the UK which, supported by a network of additional research facilities, increase our understanding of the world around us and develop innovative technologies in response to pressing scientific and societal issues. We also facilitate UK involvement in a number of international research activities including CERN, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Square Kilometre Array Observatory.

 

About the STFC Hartree Centre:

 

The Hartree Centre helps UK businesses and public sector organisations to explore and adopt supercomputing, data science, cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for enhanced productivity, smarter innovation and economic growth.

Backed by UK Government funding and strategic industry partnerships, the Hartree Centre is home to some of the most advanced digital technologies and experts in the UK.

As part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council and UK Research and Innovation, the Hartree Centre builds on a wealth of established scientific heritage and a network of international expertise, helping the UK to stay at the forefront of digital innovation.

 

For more information: www.hartree.stfc.ac.uk