A digital twin is a digital model that comprehensively and accurately depicts physical entities in a computer system. Such technology can improve the intelligent management level of waterway transportation. Based on an analysis of the key enabling technologies of a digital twin model for waterway transportation, including big data monitoring and analysis, digital twin model construction, real-time matching and interaction of virtual and real model information, data-driven control of virtual and real models, and dynamic visualization technologies, the research and application status of the intelligent manufacturing of ship systems, operation management of waterway transportation equipment, intelligent life cycle operation and maintenance, virtual scenario construction and virtual experiments based on the digital twin are analyzed in detail. On this basis, digital twin technology for waterway transportation is summarized and predicted, providing valuable references for the development and application of digital twin technology in the field of waterway transportation.