The decision support system was already designed in the predecessor project LEAS (“Land-Based Decision Recommendations for Traffic Situations Involving Highly Automated or Autonomous Ships”), which was successfully completed in 2025. With LEAS-PRO, the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) is now funding the continuation of this work and its implementation as a practical demonstrator. Project coordinator Florian Motz from Fraunhofer FKIE: “We are pleased that the results of LEAS were so well received that we can now build on them to evaluate the VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) demonstrator in real-world traffic control centers. This is how research works for users!” With the kick-off in Hamburg, the project partners have now begun their work, which will run through July 2028.

Interdisciplinary Project Team for High Operational Readiness

In addition to established and key research partners such as Fraunhofer CML, the DLR Institute of Communication and Navigation, the DLR Institute for the Protection of Maritime Infrastructure, and Wismar University of Applied Sciences, the consortium also includes the companies Bergmann Marine, JDS GmbH, and in – innovative navigation GmbH. As an end user and VTS service provider in the Baltic Sea region, Fintraffic contributes important practical knowledge. The consortium is completed by the associated partners: the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), the Directorate General for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS), the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority, and IBM Germany.

Modular Structure for Comprehensive and Secure Decision Support

The project’s goal is to develop a demonstrator that, in addition to the previously designed LEAS functionalities, also includes traffic forecasting as well as port arrival and departure control. A holistic approach is being taken to the integration of the various decision-support tools. To this end, the necessary, standardizable data interfaces are being designed, specified, and implemented so that the AI-supported situational awareness module can be seamlessly integrated.

A second key component of the work, which falls under the responsibility of Fraunhofer FKIE in addition to coordinating the consortium, is the development of an innovative human-machine interface—a comprehensive, consistent, ergonomic, and intuitively designed display and situational awareness system to support VTS personnel during operational activities. This is intended to ensure that the vast amount of heterogeneous data and analysis results is visualized in a way that integrates seamlessly into existing applications and can be used intuitively by users. This is evaluated in both simulation and long-term tests.

In addition to the practical suitability of the LEAS-PRO demonstrator, particular attention is paid to the IT security of the implemented system as a whole. A seamless and reliable situational picture is essential for the safe operation of the VTS and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure. Esa Kallio of Fintraffic summarizes: “The future of VTS isn't AI. It's humans and AI working together in the smartest, safest and most responsible way possible. That's what we're building in LEAS-PRO."