A digital future is being researched in the Port of Hamburg. If those involved in the iPortus project have their way, semi-autonomous, low-emission watercraft will be operating on the Elbe in the future.
The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has joined forces with the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML) and Kongsberg Maritime Germany in the project. The aim of their project is the safe integration of semi-autonomous or remotely monitored, low-emission vessels (Autonomous Surface Vessels, ASVs) in complex port environments.
According to the project participants, the focus of the research is on ensuring nautical safety and cyber security, developing a high degree of autonomy for the systems used and integrating them into a remote operation center (ROC). In addition, regulatory foundations for approval processes and economic decisions are to be created to enable the future regular operation of autonomous watercraft in German ports.
The Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH), the Free and Hanseatic City of Bremen, represented by Bremenports and Niedersachsen Ports, and HafenCity University Hamburg (HCU) are supporting the project as associated partners.
“With iPortus, we are setting a milestone for the safe integration of semi-autonomous systems into port operations. The project not only creates technological innovations, but also the regulatory basis for the use of these technologies in Germany,” says Benjamin Blanck, Project Manager Research & Development at the HPA.
In addition, the implementation of iPortus is intended to strengthen confidence in maritime autonomy: “We are equipping ASVs against cyber attacks, validating them in port operations and translating the results into operating models that can be approved – a measurable contribution to digitalization and decarbonization,” says Lennart Grambow, research associate at Fraunhofer CML.
The three-year iPortus project is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) with around €1.7 million as part of the IHATEC II funding guideline.
