Efficiency and productivity are of primary importance to the maritime industry. We spoke to Kaspars Ozoliņš, a Member of the Board at LVR Flote – a port technical service provider that has recently won the prestigious International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Sustainability Award in the ‘Digitalization’ category. We spoke about the new prospects and benefits that 5G technologies can bring and the huge contribution his company makes to the advancement of the industry in this field.
The article was prepared by Sofija Dmitrijenko.
Why is it important for LVR Flote to develop 5G innovations?
Enhancing efficiency and maximising output are defined in the strategy of LVR Flote. To ensure that looking for new, most appropriate technologies and advancements is a must, says Kaspars Ozoliņš.
A port is an extremely complex environment with functions that require the analysis of extensive data. One example is hydrography – a process that involves the collection and delivery of large amounts of data from various sources, which, without 5G, requires extensive manual labour. 5G allows this bulk data to be transferred straight from a ship to the relevant offices, saving time and human labour. Previously, this process required the ship to dock, a highly trained specialist to mount the ship and collect the data, and then return to the center to deliver the data. Altogether, this small activity can take up to two hours. If you multiply that by the amount of sensors and ships that need to convey their data, this adds up to a significant demand on time that both ships and the specialists could be using to conduct value-added tasks.
LVR Flote has been working on 5G innovations even before the project that won the IAPH Sustainability Award. What other involvement in maritime 5G projects has LVR Flote had?
LVR Flote was the first to introduce a hydrographic drone to the Baltics in 2022, revolutionizing the field of hydrographic research and significantly enhancing our understanding of local underwater environments.
What did the process look like before? A large ship, which consumes 50 liters of oil per hour and requires at least 3 to 4 workers to maintain it, was required to travel to the location in question. To reach the port of Liepāja, for example, takes 9 hours in one direction. But it can take you only so far. These ships are very limited to where they can travel, since not all seabeds are suitable.
With the water drone, the process is much simpler. Two people put the drone into a truck and are off to study any necessary body of water, which, in the case of the Baltics, can be reached within a matter of hours. The impact is tangible. As a result, we are able to service places that previously were not accessible. For example, the Ogre River, which often experiences spring flooding, causing damage to the surrounding area. It can now be monitored and the negative impact can be prevented.
Why were LVR Flote and Latvia able to achieve a breakthrough in 5G technology at sea?
The ports are our pride and joy – we are a seaside country and have been gifted with the opportunity to develop and improve the transportation sector in Latvia, says Kaspars. “We simply stay active. We have a deep understanding of the inner workings of the port industry, and we want to make sure that Latvia is able to retain its leading role in the transit industry.”
LVR Flote also places an emphasis on finding and working with the right partners who share an innovation-centric mindset. Therefore, they collaborate with other local pioneers such as LMT, 5G Techritory, Riga Technical University, the State Electronic Communications Office, and various start-ups such as SUBmerge Baltic. Kaspars stresses that for Latvia to maintain its leading position, port functions must grow with the times, otherwise risk stagnation.
One of their key collaborators in maritime 5G is LMT, with whom they developed the infrastructure that led to the IAPH Sustainability Award. In July 2024, the two collaborators conducted a 5G maritime connectivity demonstration at the Port of Riga, testing the 5G multi-hop concept – when the 5G network signal is passed from one ship to another, enabling both shore-to-ship and ship-to-ship communication. This demonstration marked the first-ever successful 5G connectivity solution using ships, air drones, and water drones. The test showcased how 5G connectivity ensures the seamless, real-time transfer of large volumes of data, delivering uninterrupted communication capabilities at sea.
“Technology innovations created in Latvia have repeatedly proven to be unique and effective not only in the Baltic region but also on a broader scale. LMT’s achievements in 5G, IoT, smart city solutions, and defence technologies have been recognised internationally for several years, and the maritime 5G solution, for which we have received this award, is a prime example. It is also another proof that the path of innovation can open up new export markets for Latvia and promote international competitiveness by offering technological solutions with high added value,” says LMT President Juris Binde.
Does your scope of activities reach beyond the borders of Latvia?
A port, by nature, is rooted in a physical, local presence. However, LVR Flote extends its interest and activities beyond its borders, collaborating with other ports to share knowledge and experience.
One example is Hamburg, which shares similarities with the Port of Riga, as it is an inland port, on a major river, within an urban environment. However, the main difference is that the Port of Hamburg has much more dense traffic and thus limited testing capabilities.
“Hamburg has similar needs, but because they are a very busy port with extensive cargo transit as well as significant passenger transit, they are unable to conduct testing activities as easily. We are then able to test scenarios here, and share those findings. We are continuously on the lookout to find where our interests and opportunities overlap, and create opportunities for collaboration.”
LVR Flote has also created a port testbed, which it invites other ports to take advantage of. This is not limited to water-based activities, but generally making use of the entire port environment. For example, one area of research currently uses aerial drones for various monitoring needs and infrastructure management.
Why is LVR Flote interested in driving innovations in maritime connectivity?
The biggest advantage of developing such innovations in Latvia is that LVR Flote is making Latvian ports much more competitive, promoting their development. Additionally, all of the innovations are compatible with the current European vision of environmentally friendly activities.
“We are certainly not stopping there because we see that the opportunities are extremely wide, and we will certainly try to use them,” says Kaspars Ozolins.
