Page 16: of Marine Technology Magazine (Jul/Aug 2026)

PORT OPERATIONS

MTCOM:

Building the

Connected

Port of

Credit: EdgeLab S.p.A.

EdgeLab’s USV_EL CAT, an autonomous surface vehicle

Tomorrow designed to collect, process and transmit critical information. orts are evolving from traditional infrastructure into ments. Equipped with a multiparametric probe capable of intelligent, interconnected ecosystems. The MTCOM measuring conductivity, temperature, water level, pH, dis- initiative is driving this transformation by developing solved oxygen and redox potential, together with a stereo vi-

Ptechnologies that enable the port of the future. sion system for obstacle detection, it continuously monitors

Co-? nanced by the Regional Programme – European Re- environmental conditions while navigating safely through gional Development Fund (ERDF) Liguria 2021–2027, MT- complex port areas.

COM brings together EdgeLab, SMARTY, Sitep Italia, Info- Its modular payload architecture allows the integration of a

Com, the University of Genoa and the Sant’Anna School of wide range of sensors, enabling the USV_EL CAT to oper-

Advanced Studies (Pisa), combining expertise to develop in- ate as a mobile sensing and communication node. Combined novative technologies for next-generation port environments. with GPS/INS navigation, long-range Wi-Fi, LTE and satel-

At its core, MTCOM envisions the port as a cyber-physical lite communications, and a user-friendly Ground Control Sta- ecosystem, where maritime assets, infrastructure and digi- tion providing real-time GPS tracking, video streaming and tal platforms continuously exchange information through a system monitoring, the platform delivers real-time data and dedicated communication backbone. By integrating advanced ensures connectivity between autonomous platforms, port in- monitoring systems, autonomous surface vehicles and a pri- frastructure and digital services. In doing so, it extends the vate 5G network, it delivers real-time situational awareness, reach of the MTCOM network while supporting safer, more improves the coordination of maritime traf? c and infrastruc- ef? cient and data-driven port operations.

ture, enhances safety, and enables continuous environmental monitoring to support regulatory compliance and more sus- Shaping the Next Generation of Smart Ports tainable port operations. MTCOM demonstrates how connectivity, autonomy and environmental intelligence can converge to reshape modern

USV_EL CAT: A Mobile Intelligence Platform ports. By transforming fragmented processes into a uni? ed,

Within the MTCOM ecosystem, EdgeLab’s USV_EL CAT data-driven ecosystem, the project lays the foundations for plays a central role as an autonomous surface vehicle designed a new generation of ports that are more connected, resilient to collect, process and transmit critical information. and sustainable.

Designed for both remote-controlled and autonomous As maritime operations continue to embrace digitalisation, operations, the platform performs continuous survey and initiatives such as MTCOM show how collaboration can turn monitoring missions in shallow-water and harbor environ- today’s technological vision into tomorrow’s operational reality.

16 July/August 2026

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