In response to the escalating challenges in maritime security within the European Union, the EURMARS project emerges as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at countering complex threats such as human trafficking and illegal activities like drug and arms trafficking. 

One of the components of the product/service to be offered by this visionary project is the development of the Coastal Ground and Low-Altitude Sensing Systems, a critical component in border surveillance. This part of the project has been awarded to the defence and security company SKYLD LTD.

Unravelling the Complexity of Maritime Security

The maritime domain currently encounters an ever-evolving landscape of threats, thus rendering a coordinated and technologically advanced approach essential. The EURMARS project aims to foster collaboration among national, regional and EU-level authorities to enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency. 

The focus is on developing a secure multitasking surveillance platform that integrates high-altitude technology, satellite imagery, Unmanned Vehicles (UxVs), and ground-based sensors for comprehensive border surveillance.

Skyld Ltd’s Contribution: Coastal Ground and Low-Altitude Sensing Systems

This module is designed to generate reliable geo-referenced detections and tracking of ships, small vessels, persons and vehicles in real-time under challenging maritime conditions. The UAV platform utilizes airborne camera systems triggered by abnormal incidents which are in turn detected by other sensors, verifying and confirming incidents during patrols.

According to the company, the intricate design of the Coastal Ground and Low-Altitude Sensing Systems is a testament to Skyld Ltd’s commitment to innovation. The system incorporates:

• Camera Sub-Systems: Combining shortwave IR, UV, thermal and RGB cameras with ROS2 software libraries for live/raw image processing.
• Vessel/Vehicle Classification Sub-System: Employs PyTorch for offline training on representative datasets, ensuring real-time classification using GPU technology.
• Behaviour Analysis/Anomaly Detection Sub-System: Developed in Python, leveraging MQTT message broker for seamless integration with other components.

The EURMARS project stands at the forefront of a paradigm shift in maritime security. The integration of cutting-edge technologies, AI-based systems and collaborative frameworks signals a commitment to fortifying the EU’s borders against emerging threats. 

Also read: European Defence Fund | EUROGUARD project kicks off in Estonia