The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has partnered with bbe Moldaenke GmbH, BUKEA and the University of Lübeck to launch SIMON – Smarter Water Protection Inspired by 4-Dimensional Underwater Monitoring. Funded under the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space's (BMFTR) Digital GreenTech Robotics Call, the 24-month project is backed by around €1 million ($1.19 million), with approximately €232,000 ($276,389) allocated to HPA.
SIMON advances the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for continuous, high-precision environmental monitoring in the tidal Elbe within the Port of Hamburg. Equipped with advanced sensor technology, the AUVs will measure suspended solids, oxygen levels, algal composition and oil residues, including potential sources of contamination. The collected data will be integrated directly into operational platforms.
On the port management's sustainability agenda, four-dimensional underwater monitoring both strengthens ecosystem protection and informs dredging planning and sediment management. The approach can offer a scalable model for smart environmental protection at European ports; the data generated will also contribute to long-term analysis of the Elbe ecosystem under climate change.
Key Takeaways:
1. HPA partners with bbe Moldaenke, BUKEA and the University of Lübeck to launch the SIMON underwater robotics project.
2. The 24-month project is funded under the BMFTR Digital GreenTech call with a €1 million budget.
3. Autonomous underwater vehicles will measure suspended solids, oxygen, algae and oil residues in the Elbe.
4. Collected data will be integrated into operational platforms to support decision-making.
5. The approach offers a scalable model for smart environmental protection at European ports.
