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Dubai’s DP World has announced the creation of DPMetaworld, a new initiative aimed at bringing virtual solutions to real-world supply chain challenges.
Across the industries in which DP World operates, supply chains are moving from analogue to embrace new digital solutions. DP World believes this project will allow the group to to lead the acceleration of this trend through the untapped capabilities of the metaverse – in the simplest terms essentially the internet but in 3D.
The platform is expected to launch by the end of 2022 and DP World is actively talking to technology partners to help develop the concept and help bring innovative solutions to life.
Mike Bhaskaran, Group Chief Operating Officer, Digital Technology at DP World, said: “The DPMetaworld will allow us to provide highly flexible, cost-effective supply chain solutions. The real benefit for our customers is being able to see and understand the whole supply chain from end to end, with full visibility, and create alternate routes in case of logistics bottlenecks. We are very excited about providing these unique solutions to help resolve real-world supply constraints.”
DP World will explore metaverse applications for its services, including simulations of warehousing and terminal operations, in so-called digital twins – 3D virtual versions of physical assets – as well as container and vessel inspections.
Internally, DP World will be able to benefit from fully immersive virtual training for its staff. In 2021, its Port & Terminal Training Centre in Jebel Ali trained more than 10,000 employees, totalling close to 34,880 training days. Replacing physical training with an immersive alternative in the metaverse will reduce the time it takes to train operations teams by 50%, cutting costs as well as increasing efficiency and safety and saving over 17,000 training days just in the UAE, DP World suggests. The digital twins will further reduce carbon emissions by replacing physical travel with the use of virtual training.
The announcement of the metaverse project was made by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, as part of the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos Commenting on the occasion, Bin Sulayem said: “Our expansion into the metaverse will not only enhance customer experience and operational efficiency, but also allow us to be more sustainable and resilient for the future. These are vital across all our global operations.”
