Markus Horschig, Port of Hamburg Authority

Abstract

Protecting and strengthening the resilience of critical port infrastructure requires new digital and AI-driven approaches. This presentation outlines how the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) integrates Digital Twins with a structured, scalable AI strategy for structural inspection to enable data-driven, future-ready asset management.

Building on BIM-based object twins and a system-level Digital Twin that consolidates monitoring data, inspection results, roadway assessments, and document repositories, HPA has established a secure, cloud-first data foundation for AI-enabled decision-making.

At the core is a dedicated AI framework for structural inspection with a clear ambition: by 2030, AI-supported decisions will be standard practice across HPA. The framework defines measurable objectives—such as automating up to 80% of core inspection processes and reducing manual effort by 50%—while ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards and the EU AI Act. A defined governance model, role structure, and roadmap provide the basis for safe and reliable AI deployment.

A modular, layer-based architecture—spanning data integration, annotation, model training and serving, and application layers—enables the scalable integration of diverse data sources, including drones, robotic systems, thermal imaging, ultrasonics, and manual inspections. Structured metadata management and a Data Lake/Lakehouse approach ensure high-quality inputs for machine learning models.

Initial use cases include automated crack detection, cross-asset damage classification, and a domain-specific “Bauwerks-GPT” that allows conversational access to asset information. Embedded directly into Digital Twin interfaces, AI outputs become actionable within inspection workflows.

Through an agile delivery model that unites R&D, domain expertise, and cloud-native engineering, HPA continuously refines models using MLOps, monitoring, and retraining cycles. This human-in-the-loop approach ensures that AI enhances—rather than replaces—the engineering judgment essential for safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Bio:

Markus Horschig is a specialist in the protection of critical infrastructure, with expertise spanning both cyber and physical security. Since April 2023, he has served as Head of Critical Infrastructure Protection at the Hamburg Port Authority, where he ensures compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for the Port of Hamburg, particularly in the areas of KRITIS and information security.

Before joining HPA, Markus was part of the DACH and German senior leadership teams at Insight, holding positions including Head of LCS DACH and Head of LCS for Germany and Austria. His earlier career includes roles in IT and license management at GlaxoSmithKline and Fairpro GmbH, as well as experience as a Java developer at MATHEMA AG.

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