reinforcing EU Maritime security through the integration of Autonomous Real-time Surveillance platforms and Enhanced response and Coordination toolscore
MARSEC · Horizon Europe grant · 2027-01-01–2029-12-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-CL3-2025-01 · scheme HORIZON-IA · topic HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-01. CORDIS record →
Objective
MARSEC represents an ambitious project advancing EU Border and Coastguard surveillance and decision-support capabilities in order to reinforce EU external borders and its maritime environment. To achieve this objective, MARSEC will introduce the following innovation pillars: A) Hybrid image processing module for vessel detection, enabling the identification and classification of vessels leveraging feature extraction and ML-based processing of thermal imaging; B) Vessel positioning module based on stereo thermal imaging, delivering the accurate positioning of vessels even under complex visual conditions; C) Explainable risk-assessment and response-support module, enhancing real-time risk evaluation and tailored response recommendation based on data fusion; D) GNN-powered risk-mapping heatmap, enabling the effective monitoring and anticipation of emerging risk areas; and E) Multi-criteria UAV patrolling route generation that supports the optimised allocation of aerial assets for maximising the coverage of critical maritime areas. The joint deployment of the MARSEC vessel detection (A) and positioning (B) modules within an autonomous Vertical-Take-Off-Landing (VTOL) fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) (CAPA-X model), supported by an edge-computing architecture for image processing, will strengthen continuous maritime surveillance operations and real-time situational awareness. Finally, MARSEC targets key EU maritime challenges (i.e. protection of port infrastructures and tackling drug trafficking), aiming at demonstrating MARSEC’s solutions in two relevant environments. This will be enabled through active participation by two EU Coastguard authorities (SVA, RCG), reaching TRL6 during the project execution. This approach will showcase MARSEC capabilities under real-world conditions for the effective identification of maritime threats.
Beneficiaries (10)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDENER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AIE | ES | coordinator | €927,531 | |
| AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS | FR | participant | €584,062 | |
| SOFTWARE IMAGINATION AND VISION SRL | RO | participant | €288,750 | Yes |
| KNOW CENTER RESEARCH GMBH | AT | participant | €279,250 | Yes |
| PRIVANOVA SAS | FR | participant | €264,136 | Yes |
| LASER CONSULT MUSZAKI-TUDOMANYOS ES GAZDASAGI TANACSADO KORLATOLT FELELOSSEGU TARSASAG | HU | participant | €252,504 | Yes |
| VERTLINER IDIOTIKI KEFALAIOUCHIKI ETAIREIA | EL | participant | €203,175 | Yes |
| MIA TEKNOLOJI ANONIM SIRKETI | TR | participant | €196,000 | Yes |
| AGENCIA ESTATAL DE ADMINISTRACION TRIBUTARIA | ES | participant | €153,400 | |
| GARDA DE COASTA | RO | participant | €131,250 |
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