Different Forms of Interoperability for Harbor Models

This paper discusses the current trends of interoperability and its impact on simulation. The special focus is on the application of interoperability techniques within the area of maritime modeling and simulation. The paper uses a traditional harbor model developed for the Riga Baltic Container terminal to demonstrate the potential of different kinds of interoperability. Technologies which are discussed include different web-based techniques for interoperability and the High Level Architecture for Modeling and Simulation (HLA), as the latest standard in the area of distributed simulation. The simulation system of choice which serves as the demonstration system is SLX, since SLX offers excellent extensibility mechanisms and is best suited for demonstrating different kinds of interoperability.