Funding Opportunity
The main objective of the Thematic Call for Proposals is to develop space-based services and applications which address the challenges facing ports by taking advantage of data and innovative technologies.
This Thematic Call for Proposals aims to support industry in the development of services focused on increasing the safety of the personnel during ports-related operations, enhancing security measures, and improving efficiencies around operations and the movement of passengers and goods.
This Call for Proposals welcomes submissions for Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects. Please refer to the ‘Authorisation of Funding’ section below to determine your team's eligibility for funding.
The Challenge
Ports face various challenges, including congestion, infrastructure limitations, safety and security, digitalisation, connectivity and environmental concerns. These challenges can lead to delays, disruptions, and increased costs. Ports worldwide are increasingly implementing policies and strategies that enhance the efficiency, safety and security of their operations, recognising the added value offered by digitalisation and related technologies.
Innovative solutions which enhance marine environment monitoring, improve operational efficiency, and bolster safety and security measures are required. These solutions will rely on seamless connectivity within the port digital ecosystem and will seek to integrate he diverse platforms and vehicles into a cohesive system.
Topics of Relevance
The following topics are examples of relevant themes that could be addressed within this Call for Proposals. Other topics can also be proposed if supported by the user community.
- Port safety: this topic is related to the safety of the terminal personnel during loading and unloading operations as well as the safety of ships throughout their stay in the port. There could also be applications related to emergency responses in the event of safety-threatening situations occurring at the port or for ships approaching the port.
- Port Security: Port security measures are required to protect ports, cargo, and personnel from threats such as terrorism, theft, and vandalism and to ensure international treaties are enforced properly. As ports are large, international hubs with high volumes of shipments, and access to new markets, smuggling remains a challenge, with newer security methods integrating several different systems.
- Port Automation: Autonomous vehicles, such as terminal tractors, are increasingly being used for horizontal transportation to enhance efficiency and safety in container terminals. Equipped with various sensors that utilise sensor fusion, and integrating information from multiple sources, these vehicles can accurately interpret their environment for informed decision-making, even when there is poor visibility or congestion.
- Movement of passengers: Ports serve as crucial points in the transportation system but often face issues with congested infrastructure and limited capacity for expansion. Autonomous vehicles could be implemented in ports for passenger transportation to improve safety, efficiency, and cost savings. Passengers may have the opportunity to use autonomous vehicles to travel from the port premises to nearby airports, terminals or rail stations.
- Movement of Goods: Automation in ports is crucial, resulting in faster and more precise handling of container traffic compared with manually-operated equipment. It enhances control over logistics, with simplified planning and tracking resulting in more predictable and reliable operations. Autonomous vehicles are designed to optimise efficiency, helping to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Value of Space
Satellite technologies and data, integrated with other digital technologies, have a significant role to play in prospective services addressing port-related challenges.
- Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) enables innovative applications for the tracking and tracing of vehicles and goods through precise positioning, navigation, and timing. It can provide:
- route optimisation solutions through real-time location data
- monitoring for fleets of vehicles and goods
- the navigation of robots, autonomous vehicles and drones,
- georeferencing and geolocation information
- data to ensure the accuracy and safety of flight operations.
- Satellite Communication (SatCom) plays a vital role in providing robust and reliable connectivity to support smart port infrastructure, addressing areas currently unserved or underserved by terrestrial communications and also acts as backup to terrestrial connectivity. Integrating satellite and terrestrial networks can ensure reliable connectivity, supporting seamless data transfer and enhancing communication. Ubiquitous connectivity is a key requirement to address the autonomy of equipment and vehicles and it may also support drone operations in the absence of terrestrial communication.
- Satellite Earth Observation (SatEO) is useful for mapping and monitoring environmental conditions such as boundary/feature delineation and change detection. It can also support the development of digital elevation/surface models and topography measurements. SatEO data can complement IoT sensor networks by providing detailed analyses of environmental and geographical conditions over time. Integrating real-time IoT data with historical EO data for specific locations can generate comprehensive insights. Satellite radar data can enable monitoring regardless of weather conditions.
- Digital twins can significantly enhance port safety and efficiency by creating virtual replicas of the port environments. These digital models integrate data from satellite Earth observation, satellite navigation, and satellite communications to provide a comprehensive and dynamic representation of the port. Digital twins enable real-time monitoring, simulation, and analysis of the infrastructure, traffic flows and movements in the port, allowing for predictive insights and optimised decision-making.
What we look for
ESA invites tenders to develop and deploy innovative solutions that enhance Port Safety and Efficiency. We encourage companies to conduct Feasibility Studies or Demonstration Projects to address the challenges in the port sector. We are seeking business ideas that demonstrate:
- Clear market opportunities and customer needs
- Commercially viable service concepts
- Feasible technical solutions
- Effective use of space data or technology
- Teams with strong business, technical, and financial expertise
What we offer
We offer funding and support to companies, both for business case assessment and for the development of new, space-based services. Our offer includes:
- zero-equity funding*
- technical and commercial guidance
- access to our network and partners
- ESA brand credibility
*(50-80% depending on SME Status and Member State Approval)
ESA tender information
The initiative is open to the submission of proposals for Feasibility Studies and Demonstration Projects:
- Feasibility Studies - which provide the preparatory framework to identify, analyse and define new potentially sustainable services
- Demonstration Projects - dedicated to the implementation and demonstration of pre-operational services
ESA has collaborated with various partners to present use cases that may be relevant to your proposal. While addressing these use cases is optional, we encourage you to review them. You can find the use cases in the Downloads section at the bottom of this webpage.
- Step 1: Activity Pitch Questionnaire
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The Activity Pitch Questionnaire allows you to present your business idea in a reduced, standardised pitch. It helps us to quickly assess your activity and decide on the way forward.
- Download the Activity Pitch Questionnaire.
- Prepare your pitch and optionally consult with an ESA Business Applications Ambassador.
- Submit your pitch as instructed here. You will need to sign up to the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) to submit your idea.
Upon submission of an Activity Pitch Questionnaire:
- We may share the submitted Activity Pitch Questionnaire with National Delegations for coordination purposes.
- We will assess your pitch.
- We will inform you about the results and next steps.
Note:
- Before Full Proposal submission (Step 3), you must obtain authorisation from the National Delegations of the countries in which your and your partners’ organisations reside. We recommend liaising with the National Delegations as early as possible.
- Step 2: Outline Proposal
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If we accept your Activity Pitch Questionnaire, we will invite you to prepare an Outline Proposal for a Feasibility Study or Demonstration Project.
- Download the Outline Proposal Template for a Feasibility Study or Demonstration Project from the Documents webpage.
- Prepare your proposal, elaborating on your pitch.
- Submit your Outline Proposal to the Open Space Innovation Platform (OSIP) for evaluation, within 2 months from APQ submission.
Upon submission of an Outline Proposal:
- We may involve external experts in the proposal evaluation to coordinate activities within ESA Member States and the European Union.
- We may ask you to address clarification points originating from the Outline Proposal evaluation.
- If all clarification points are sufficiently addressed, we will prepare a project dossier and request approval from our Steering Board, which meets quarterly.
- We will inform you about results and next steps.
- Step 3: Full Proposal
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If we invite you to submit a Full Proposal:
- Register your team on esa-star Registration today! If your team is made up of more than one organisation, each entity will need to register.
- Download the official tender documents from esa-star Publication.
- Prepare your proposal using the official tender documents and reach out to your National Delegate to obtain a Letter of Authorisation.
- Submit your proposal via esa-star Tendering within 4 months of OP submission.
Upon submission of a Full Proposal:
- An independent board will evaluate your proposal against criteria set out in the tender documentation.
- We may ask you to address clarification points identified during proposal evaluation and invite you to a negotiation meeting.
- Upon successful negotiation, we will send you a contract for signature and agree the project kick-off.
AUTHORISATION OF FUNDING
To qualify for funding, your team must be located in one of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Lithuania, or Slovakia.
If your company is based in Greece, Spain, or Canada, eligibility for funding requires that your idea is related to 5G technologies or includes a significant element concerning Safety and Security.
Teams based outside these Member States are not eligible for this funding call.
The funding level for your team depends on authorisation from the relevant national delegations. Therefore, bidding teams must obtain Letter(s) of Authorisation from the relevant national delegation(s) before submitting a Full Proposal. If a team includes companies from different Member States, each entity must request a Letter of Authorisation from their National Delegate.
Contact information for each national delegate is available here.