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iPORTUS Project Launches to Digitize Hamburg Port operations
The Hamburg port Authority (HPA) has officially launched the iPORTUS research project, a collaboration with the Fraunhofer Center for maritime Logistics and Services (CML) and Kongsberg Maritime Germany gmbh. This initiative marks a notable step towards the digitalization and automation of port operations, focusing on the safe integration of partially autonomous or remotely monitored, low-emission vessels (autonomous Surface Vessels, ASVs) into complex harbor environments. The project is funded with approximately €1.7 million by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) as part of the IHATEC II funding guideline. Hamburg Port Authority
Project Goals and Focus Areas
iPORTUS centers on ensuring nautical and cybersecurity, developing a high degree of autonomy for deployed systems, and integrating these systems into a central control station (Remote Operation Center, ROC). A key objective is to establish regulatory frameworks for approval processes and economic decisions, paving the way for the routine operation of autonomous vessels in German ports. The project aims to build trust in maritime autonomy by fortifying ASVs against cyberattacks,validating their performance in real-world harbor settings,and translating findings into viable operational models.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Along with the core partners, iPORTUS benefits from the support of several associated organizations:
- Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH): Providing expertise in maritime safety and regulation.
- Free and Hanseatic city of Bremen (bremenports): Contributing insights from port operations in Bremen.
- Niedersachsen Ports: Offering perspectives from Lower Saxony’s port infrastructure.
- Hamburg University of Technology (HCU): providing academic research and advancement support.
Key Milestones and Timeline
The project commenced with a consortium and kick-off meeting at the Fraunhofer CML on January 26,
