Towards Enhanced Valenciaport Security: Integration of Advanced Unmanned Vehicle Systems with 5G SA

Abstract

Underwater threats represent an increasing challenge to maritime safety and port security, demanding advanced solutions beyond traditional monitoring and inspection methods. This paper presents the development and field testing of a 5G-enabled Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) designed to enhance situational awareness and operational resilience against underwater risks in port environments. The study was conducted at the Port of Valencia, one of Europe’s most advanced smart ports equipped with a 5G Standalone (SA) network. By combining high-speed, low-latency communications with sensing technologies (including sonar modules, optical cameras, and environmental sensors), the proposed system enables real-time data exchange, remote operation, and continuous monitoring across surface and subsurface domains. Experimental trials validated the USV’s ability to detect submerged objects, support emergency response, and perform inspection and environmental monitoring tasks under stable 5G connectivity. These results demonstrate how the integration of unmanned surface platforms with next-generation communication networks can significantly strengthen the capacity to detect, assess, and mitigate underwater threats under teleoperated conditions.

Keywords

Port security / Underwater monitoring / Autonomous systems / USV / Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) / Smart ports / Artificial intelligence / Maritime surveillance / Sensor fusion / 5G communications

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