The Compass + project is advancing steadily in its development since its launch at the beginning of 2024. The system is in the execution phase and its completion is scheduled for next summer. The director of the Smart Ports Chair, Francisco Toledo, highlights “the value of this innovative project developed with funding from Ports 4.0, which is established as the largest open innovation initiative in our country,” he stated. The consortium driving this cutting-edge solution for maritime traffic management is led by the maritime-port engineering firm Siport21 together with the Port de Barcelona and the Laboratori d’Ingenieria Marítima (LIM) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC), who are working jointly to mitigate the consequences of the phenomenon known as ‘passing ships’.
“Compass + is not just a technological advancement; it is a direct response to the critical needs for safety and efficiency in port operations. With this project, we apply Artificial Intelligence to predict and mitigate risks, transforming data into decisions that protect ports and optimize operations,” commented the CEO of Siport 21, José Ramón Iribarren. The project, currently in the execution phase, has a total duration of two and a half years.
Compass + technology integrates low-cost IoT sensors, advanced simulation models, and artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze port traffic data, oceanographic and meteorological conditions, and the movements of the berthed vessel itself in real time. With a budget of just over 1 million euros, Compass + will be established as a modular and scalable tool, designed to be implemented in different types of ports and terminals, reinforcing Spain’s position at the forefront of port innovation and creating a safer, more sustainable, and competitive environment.
