Innovation in security in the Port of Valencia: 5G Platform

Project Manager

The Imagine-B5G project is led by the Valenciaport Foundation, in collaboration with various European entities within the framework of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme.

Project description

The IMAGINE-B5G project aims to create an advanced and accessible end-to-end (E2E) 5G platform for large-scale trials and pilots, providing a set of Beyond 5G applications, enabled by the integration of advanced disruptive 5G technologies.

Since its launch, the project has been focused on exploring how 5G network capabilities can transform security and operational efficiency in ports with the creation of an advanced and accessible end-to-end (E2E) 5G platform for large-scale trials and pilots, providing a set of applications enabled by the integration of advanced disruptive 5G technologies, such as generative AI, augmented reality, and the digital twin.

In the Port of Valencia, tests have been carried out that include simulations of the operation of a virtual control center platform and the technology developed within the framework of the project. During these tests, two use cases related to emergencies and security were simulated. One of the cases included the autonomous management of a drone from the virtual command and control centre, which had a digital twin of the Port of Valencia. The drone, connected via the 5G network, carried out a surveillance round, transmitting images in real time that were analysed by generative AI, capable of detecting intrusions in restricted areas and generating alerts.

The second use case involved receiving images from the port’s surveillance circuit at the command center, where generative AI was able to automatically detect open doors in restricted access areas, sending a drone to the alert site autonomously.

This project is not only being tested in Valencia, but is also being carried out in other advanced European 5G experimental facilities, demonstrating its potential to be a scalable solution throughout Europe.

The Port Authority of Tarragona (APT), as a UAS operator, has also been carrying out, since September 2023, drone operations aimed at reinforcing and improving actions related to the surveillance and perimeter control of the Port and emergency management. In addition to the nine pilots trained in 2023, eleven more pilots from different APT departments will be added before the end of the year, who are completing the internal training that will allow them to be qualified as pilots of the Port Authority with the aim of increasing the use cases of drones, adding to safety-related uses, uses for infrastructure, port operations and filming and image taking for communication.

To this end, the APT has increased the fleet of drones to a total of six units (Matrice 300 RTK, Mavic 2 EA, Mini 3 pro, Mavic 3T, Air 3). In July 2024, the second version of the APT UAS Operations Manual was approved, which allows drone operations to be adapted to the regulatory changes of recent months.

Throughout 2024, the APT has established a line of collaboration with the company OCTOCAM – Maps, which is allowing work to be done on the characterisation of solid bulk pallets and the occupation of spaces automatically through the use of drones. This project has been submitted to the call for PORTS 4.0 innovation grants in the commercial phase.

Project objectives

The main objectives of the Imagine-B5G project in the port of Valencia are:

Evaluate and validate the use of 5G technology in the port environment to improve safety and operational efficiency.
Develop an open and advanced platform that enables large-scale testing of emerging technologies.
Integrate 5G technologies into port equipment to improve remote control, reduce the risk of accidents and optimise logistics.
Strengthen port security by implementing state-of-the-art technologies that enable real-time monitoring and faster incident response.