iPORTUS | Intelligent and safe Port Operations based on Resilient Technology for Autonomous and Uncrewed Surface Vehicles

Background

Ports are facing the challenge of responding to increasing pressure to decarbonize, digitize, and improve efficiency—while at the same time ensuring safety and resilience in an increasingly networked and complex environment. The use of autonomously operating watercraft promises automation of tasks such as infrastructure and environmental condition inspection and monitoring, thereby supporting data-driven port management.

 

Objectives

The aim of the iPORTUS project is the safe integration of semi-autonomous or remotely monitored, low-emission watercraft (Autonomous Surface Vessels, ASVs) into complex port environments. The project focuses on ensuring nautical safety and cybersecurity, developing a high degree of autonomy for the systems used, and integrating them into a control center (Remote Operation Center, ROC). In addition, regulatory frameworks for approval processes and economic decisions are to be created in order to enable the future regular operation of autonomous watercraft in German ports.

To this end, five different ASVs are to be deployed in complex real-world port environments and simulated spaces. The vehicles will be tested in two different areas of the Port of Hamburg as part of several real-world test campaigns. The combination of different technical equipment will enable a realistic and comparative evaluation of different system configurations. The modular design of the ASVs used allows the sensor and control technology to be flexibly adapted to the respective test objectives, thus enabling the technological maturity and operating modes (remote-controlled, semi-autonomous, fully autonomous) to be examined in a practical manner.

 

Key tasks of the project partners

Hamburg Port Authority (HPA)

The HPA is responsible for coordinating the iPORTUS project, contributing its operational and regulatory expertise as a port infrastructure operator and validating the developed systems in real port operations.

As the institution responsible for safety, traffic control, and infrastructure management, the HPA provides key requirements for the use of (partially) autonomous watercraft in the port.

In the project, the HPA creates the necessary framework conditions for testing ASVs, including coordination with responsible entities, defining suitable test areas, and supporting relevant approval processes. It contributes practical perspectives on visibility, navigation safety, and operational organization and supports the development of approvable ConOps and SORA models that will serve as the basis for future standard processes.

Fraunhofer CML

Fraunhofer CML is working on the topics of autonomy and nautical safety. In the port environment, the unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) used are made visible primarily through their physical and virtual visibility.

The topics of AI-supported obstacle detection, collision avoidance, and GNSS-independent navigation using sensor fusion are being developed. In addition, operating concepts and decision templates are being created for authorities regarding the approval of regular operation of autonomous systems.

For monitoring and safe operation from land, Fraunhofer CML is designing and implementing a remote operation center that supports and enables the parallel operation of multiple (semi-)autonomous vehicles.

Kongsberg Maritime Germany GmbH

Kongsberg is responsible for nautical safety in the iPORTUS project and contributes expertise in the integration of maritime technologies. A key focus is on the physical and virtual visibility and detectability of autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) in complex port environments.

Kongsberg is collaborating on the development of approvable operating concepts for autonomous systems, including the development of ConOps (Concept of Operations) and SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) analyses.

In addition, Kongsberg is contributing its system expertise to the design and validation of the Remote Operation Center (ROC), which enables the safe remote operation and monitoring of multiple autonomous vehicles.

 

Project Consortium

iPORTUS is managed by the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA). Another project partner alongside Fraunhofer CML is Kongsberg Maritime Germany GmbH. iPORTUS is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) with approximately €1.7 million under the IHATEC II funding guideline. Associated partners supporting the project include the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, represented by bremenports and Niedersachsen Ports, HafenCity University Hamburg (HCU) and NVL B.V. & Co. KG (Naval Vessels Lürssen).