The Hamburg Port Authority, together with the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services and Kongsberg Maritime Germany GmbH, officially launched the iPORTUS research project, aimed at digitalizing and automating port operations. The project envisions the secure integration of semi-autonomous and remotely controlled low-emission ASVs into complex port environments. iPORTUS is being implemented with funding from the German Federal Ministry of Transport, with approximately €1.7 million under the IHATEC II program.
The project focuses on navigational safety and cybersecurity, developing high-level vessel autonomy, and integrating them into the ROC (Remote Operations Center). At the same time, iPORTUS participants are developing the regulatory and economic foundations for approval procedures, which should ultimately enable the regular operation of autonomous vessels in German ports. The project is supported by relevant organizations, including the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency, the port authorities of Bremen and Lower Saxony, and the HafenCity University in Hamburg.
The project’s first key phase has already been determined: a kickoff meeting of the consortium will be held at Fraunhofer CML on January 26, 2026, to define the key technical and organizational workflows. HPA emphasizes that iPORTUS not only facilitates the implementation of innovative technologies but also creates a regulatory framework for their practical application. Fraunhofer CML and Kongsberg Maritime Germany note that the project strengthens trust in maritime autonomy, enhances resilience to cyber threats, and lays the foundation for a sustainable digital and environmental transformation of the port industry.