The leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines have shown what can suddenly happen without anyone being held accountable. Now, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is working feverishly to protect port facilities and ensure their continued operation.
As part of a project dubbed "Marlin," the German Aerospace Center (DLR) conducted a technology demonstration in mid-October at the seaport in Nordenham in cooperation with authorities and organizations responsible for security. Various scenarios for disrupting port operations were simulated. Technologies developed by the DLR and the resulting real-time situational awareness picture of the port are intended to ensure port security in the future.
Photos: DLR
“DLR’s security research focuses on the expertise of the participating institutes and their research infrastructure. Together with the research areas of aerospace, energy, and transport, application-oriented solutions are developed that are geared towards immediate use,” explains DLR Director General Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla. At the same time, a concept for security and protection status monitoring of offshore wind farms was developed in cooperation with industry.
The demonstration focused on protecting a port area from threats originating from land, water, and air. As an exercise scenario, a merchant ship carrying hazardous materials docked at the quay. Shortly afterward, intruders initially scouted the area with a drone. This was registered by the system. A drone from the defense system then drove off the scouts. Next, people approached in a boat and from land. By detonating a smoke bomb on land, they attempted to create a diversionary tactic, drawing attention away from the water so they could enter the harbor undetected. Potential underwater hazards, such as explosives, were also part of their elaborate plan. After the seaborne incursion attempt was thwarted, the inflatable boat turned away and the occupants threw any potential evidence overboard.
Devices with installed sensors monitor the scenario and generate a complex situational picture from the fusion of various geo- and sensor data. Fixed cameras, cameras on mobile systems, and a robot dog record photos and videos.
"Today's demonstration went very well for us. I find it remarkable that we managed to combine so many different technologies into a common situational awareness system in such a short time," says Maurice Stephan, project manager at the DLR Institute for the Protection of Maritime Infrastructures in Bremerhaven.
In an office container on the port premises, all measurement data is compiled into a comprehensive situational overview. Algorithms utilizing artificial intelligence from the field of machine learning automatically detect relevant objects and events and display them on a map application. The current AIS signals, which ships transmit to indicate their position, are also shown on the map. From this so-called situational awareness center, observers have a complete overview of the situation and potential hazards. From here, they can control data sources and instruments or add further ones. The situational awareness display is also accessible on mobile devices such as tablets. This allows emergency responders from different locations to receive the same information and act in a coordinated manner.
The system also includes a DLR "sea cat." The autonomous underwater vehicle's sonar can subsequently locate lost or sunken objects. Detailed images of conspicuous areas can be provided by another remotely operated underwater vehicle if needed.
www.dlr.de
