Maritime and port infrastructure archivos - Page 2 of 4

Climate-change adaptation
1. Predictive models and climate-impact simulations
  For coastal and port infrastructure (waves, flooding, erosion), based on operational ocean–coast models (EuskOOS) and climate-scenario time series.
2. Coastal management and resilience plans
  Design of adaptation strategies for extreme events and sea-level rise, integrating nature-based solutions and coastal-zone management.
3. Environmental footprint assessment and reduction plans for maritime and port infrastructure
  Identification of critical points and definition of mitigation measures.
Decarbonisation and energy efficiency
1. Energy-efficiency plans and emissions reduction in ports
  Energy diagnostics, optimisation of consumption and support for port-electrification strategies.
2. Innovation in clean technologies and renewable energy for ports
  Integration of electric charging systems (e.g. Kaindar – cold ironing) and operating models for fully electric vessels (Ortze).
3. Carbon-footprint calculation and monitoring in ports and maritime operations
  Tools to track and report progress in decarbonisation.
Financing and public–private collaboration
1. Collaborative innovation and sustainability projects
  Facilitating access to European and national funding.
2. Support in proposal preparation and funding searches
  For climate-adaptation, digitalisation and blue-economy projects.
3. Governance and collaboration models for blue-economy projects
  Applied to port and coastal environments.
Technological innovation and competitiveness
1. Development and integration of advanced technologies (sensing, AI, IoT) in infrastructure
  Improving efficiency, safety and competitiveness.
2. Validation and piloting of new technological solutions in real environments
  Reducing risks and accelerating technological uptake.
3. Knowledge transfer and training in new technologies
  Capacity building and continuous upskilling of staff.
Digital transformation and smart ports
1. Digital platforms for integrated management of port and coastal operations
  Based on met-ocean data, numerical models and observing networks.
2. Real-time monitoring systems
  EuskOOS, KOSTASystem coastal videometry, HF radar and digital twins to support decision-making.
3. Automation and robotisation of operations
  Linked to maritime safety, port traffic management and beach management.
Blue economy and sustainability
1. Circular-economy projects and valorisation of port waste
  Reducing waste and generating new business opportunities.
2. Nature-based solutions for infrastructure
  Integration of green infrastructure and restoration of coastal ecosystems.
Coastal management under climate change
1. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) models
  For planning and adaptation to climate-change scenarios.
2. Early-warning systems and monitoring of coastal risks (flooding, overtopping, erosion)
  Supported by videometry, HF radar and wave models.
3. Collaboration with public authorities on adaptation and coastal-planning strategies
  Providing technical and scientific support.
Observation and monitoring technologies
1. Deployment and maintenance of marine and coastal observing networks
  Buoys, coastal stations, HF radar, videometry, gliders and autonomous surface vehicles.
2. Advanced data processing (big data, AI)
  For predictive analysis of risks, port operability and environmental quality.
3. Development of visualisation and reporting platforms (data portals and services)
  To facilitate the interpretation and operational use of information in port and coastal management.

Climate change adaptation and coastal risk management

Climate change impact studies on marine ecosystems
Monitoring marine biodiversity under climate change
Climate vulnerability assessment in coastal and marine areas
Climate risk assessment in marine and coastal sectors (fisheries, aquaculture, and infrastructure), addressing both socio-economic and environmental risk
Adaptation plans and early warning systems
Predictive models of coastal evolution
Monitoring of extreme events and marine climate trends
Time-series analysis and projection of marine climate scenarios
Assessment of climate resilience in marine species

Real-time observation and monitoring

Basque ocean-meteorological observation network and emergency response system
Long-term monitoring of coastlines and marine habitats
Operational monitoring for beach safety and management
Satellite applications for climate indicators (extremes, phenology)
Products for tracking river plumes
Oceanographic applications using gliders and autonomous surface vehicles
Coastal videometry (full portfolio of services)
Remote-sensing–derived products for physical and ecological oceanography
Real-time current maps derived from HF radar
Observation systems using autonomous surface vehicles (gliders, USVs)

Ocean–coastal modelling and data services

Daily operational ocean–coastal information service (waves, currents, sea level, safety)
Coastal hydrodynamic models for infrastructure
Coastal and estuarine flood models for ports
Wave propagation models and their impact on ports and structures
Lagrangian transport models for spills and search and rescue
Real-time characterization of ocean transport
Climate scenario analysis and projections
Integration and exploitation of European ocean databases (Copernicus, EMODnet, EuroGOOS)
Generation of indicators and technical reporting for infrastructure

Environmental assessment and marine–port environmental quality

Assessment of the effects of pollutants on marine ecosystems
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Environmental Monitoring Plans (EMP)
Characterization and monitoring of dredged materials
Analysis of biofouling in real environments and its environmental impact
Monitoring of ecological quality in coastal and transitional waters
Assessment of marine environmental status under the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (NEAT)

Marine spatial planning and coastal zone management

Marine spatial planning for port uses, energy projects, and new developments
Ecosystem services assessment to support strategic planning
Socio-ecological diagnostics of coastal areas
Support to public authorities in the development of Maritime Spatial Plans (MSPs)
Assessment of marine energy potential in port areas
Development of tools for the sustainable management of marine space
Compatibility analysis between port, nautical, fisheries, industrial, and environmental uses

Conservation, restoration, and biodiversity in coastal areas

Identification and management of marine protected areas
Strategies for the protection of threatened marine species
Control of invasive alien species
Restoration of marine ecosystems
Knowledge generation and assessment of marine ecosystems
Marine mapping and cartography

Blue economy, innovation, and decarbonization for ports

Technological solutions for the decarbonization of fishing activities (energy transition)
Port electrification using renewable energy sources

Advanced observation tools and emerging technologies

Pasaia Ocean Autonomy (POA): Management and development of applications using autonomous marine vehicles
KOSTASystem: Videometry system for coastal surveillance and management
EuskOOS: Basque operational oceanography system
EBEGI: Ecosystem super-observatory of the Bay of Biscay

KAINDAR: smart infrastructure for port decarbonisation and electrification

KAINDAR is a demonstrator project led by five organisations in Gipuzkoa to design, install and evaluate, under real operating conditions, a new mobile electric charging infrastructure at the Port of Pasaia.

Studies on the impacts of climate change on the coast and adaptation solutions

AZTI promotes coastal adaptation to climate change through predictive models and monitoring networks, transforming vulnerability into practical solutions in beaches such as Zarautz and estuaries such as Oka and Bidasoa.

Environmental monitoring of disposal areas: scientific assessment of impacts on the marine environment

AZTI developed an environmental monitoring system that rigorously assesses the impact of discharges on coastal waters and ecosystems, providing accurate diagnoses and key tools to support sustainable management.

Latest advances in understanding marine litter in the Bay of Biscay

AZTI shows that the Bay of Biscay is a critical hotspot for microplastic accumulation, with levels comparable to those in the Mediterranean, providing key data to inform the design of solutions to tackle marine litter.

View all success stories

Maritime and port infrastructure

Sector challenges – AZTI’s solutions

Our services

Manuel González

Lead Researcher in Operational Oceanography

Success stories

KAINDAR: smart infrastructure for port decarbonisation and electrification

Studies on the impacts of climate change on the coast and adaptation solutions

Environmental monitoring of disposal areas: scientific assessment of impacts on the marine environment

Latest advances in understanding marine litter in the Bay of Biscay

Related research lines and sublines