Securing and Enhancing Maritime Port Efficiency Requires Effective AI Video Surveillance Solutions

Port security is a constant challenge.

As high-traffic areas where cargo vessels, trucks, and people converge 24/7, maritime ports are highly susceptible to accidents, theft, and even potential terrorist threats.

Traditional security measures, which are still used by a large percentage of port operators, rely on human patrols and basic surveillance systems.

These methods do not provide enough protection against the many threats that port operators are facing today and will in the future.

So, it’s no surprise that market research firm, Mordor Intelligence, reports that global port security system spending will significantly rise over the next five years. The firm estimates* that by 2029, security system spending will exceed $30 billion, a nearly 40% increase compared to 2024 levels.

Part of this additional spending will certainly be devoted to updating security infrastructure with modern AI video surveillance systems.

And, as the maritime industry faces increasing demands for higher efficiency and security, the case for investing in AI-driven video surveillance has never been stronger.

Proven Solutions & Track Record Supporting Maritime Port Operation

Successful maritime ports worldwide have seen great success from partnering with Hanwha Vision and utilizing the company’s popular AI-powered surveillance cameras and integrated video management systems (VMS), NVR, and intelligent audio solutions. See a sampling of our maritime port customer success stories.

These proven technologies help secure and optimize every part of a port’s operations, including:

Hanwha Vision’s range of AI-powered cameras and integrated VMS solutions, observe live footage 24/7, utilizing algorithms to automatically identify potential threats such as unauthorized access, suspicious actions, safety risks, or health hazards, such as worker slip and falls.

These systems accurately recognize unusual behaviors, including workers entering restricted areas, vehicles behaving erratically, or individuals approaching hazardous zones.

By processing data in real-time, security personnel can respond more quickly to potential incidents, reducing the risk of accidents or breaches. In addition, they can accurately distinguish false alarms as “non-threatening” actions.

Common reasons for false alarms often stem from environmental influences, such as weather conditions (like wind, rain, or fog), movements from wildlife such as birds and seagulls, or the motion shadows from large vessels and containers.

Additionally, faulty or defective sensors can result from salt spray or corrosion, while improper camera angles may capture misleading reflections and shadows.

To prevent these occurrences, it’s essential to work with the right partner to ensure proper camera placements. Also, in any locations impacted by weather, like near water entrances, it’s important to have cameras with appropriate housings for added weather protection.

Operational Efficiency Through AI Video Surveillance

Beyond improving safety, AI video surveillance can significantly enhance the operational efficiency of maritime ports.

With their complex ecosystems, ports involve various processes, including container loading/unloading, vessel docking, and cargo transportation. Effectively managing these operations is vital for reducing delays, optimizing resources, and ensuring a seamless flow of goods.

AI-driven video surveillance can help monitor traffic patterns within the port, whether it involves trucks, cranes, or vessels. By analyzing real-time data from video feeds, AI systems can forecast congestion points and adjust operational plans accordingly.

For example, AI can detect when specific port areas are becoming crowded and suggest rerouting vehicles or postponing certain operations. This dynamic traffic management can prevent bottlenecks, minimize downtime, and enable smarter workforce planning and scheduling.

AI video surveillance can also aid in tracking cargo offloading as it progresses through various stages in the port.

For example, Hanwha Vision’s new Logistics Solution set brings logistics automation, integration, and reporting to new, more efficient heights.

The fully-integrated, AI-powered Logistics Solution set covers every part of inbound and outbound package delivery, receiving, handling, shipping, and tracking.For port operators, an essential piece of the Hanwha Vision Logistics Solution set is Dock Safety Management:

This feature includes edge-based AI cameras overseeing the safety of dock loading and unloading, helping operators to minimize hazards and precisely track ships, trucks, and vehicles coming and going through the port.

Maximizing Equipment Uptime & Reducing Environmental Risks

Utilizing advanced AI video surveillance systems, port operators can concentrate on these critical areas, detecting anomalies like equipment leaks.

This can significantly lower the chances of accidents that cause environmental hazards.

AI video surveillance can be linked with predictive maintenance software and tools to monitor the operating conditions of key equipment — such as cranes, cargo handling units, conveyor belts and rollers, excavators, generators, and more.

Through continuous monitoring of wear and tear, AI video surveillance can detect early signs of malfunction or degradation.

Temperature changes are often the earliest warning sign of current and/or future equipment problems. You know, the kind of problems that cost a lot of money and slow up productivity.

That’s why Hanwha Vision’s proven AI radiometric thermal cameras are such a valuable solution to protect equipment for long-haul durability. They can ensure safe temperature limits are not exceeded and are specially-designed to monitor equipment with a wide temperature detection range of -40℉ to 1022℉ (-40℃ to 550℃).

If overheating or excess freezing occurs in a piece of equipment, production supervisors are immediately alerted and can use the insights to perform the necessary preventive maintenance tasks.

The information can also help maintenance professionals make informed decisions about optimal equipment maintenance procedures.

For example, should the timeframe between component and system checks be shortened and become more frequent? What is the appropriate number of hours between scheduled fluid changes (lubricants, greases)?

Safer Work Environments

Forklift accidents pose a major safety risk at maritime ports, frequently resulting in serious injuries or fatalities among dockworkers.

Improper operation of forklifts, whether indoors or outdoors, often leads to workers being crushed or struck by falling cargo. Such incidents can occur due to a forklift tipping over, colliding with pedestrians, or trapping a worker between the forklift and another object.

Typical causes of forklift accidents include human error and difficult conditions, such as operating in confined spaces, improper loading, limited visibility, and insufficient training.

Implementing Hanwha Vision’s new AI-enabled Smart Factory solution can go a long way toward reducing dangerous forklift incidents and creating a safer and more productive workplace environment.

It combines the power of Hanwha Vision’s innovative surveillance cameras with advanced AI analytics. Cameras equipped with the AI-enabled Smart Factory application monitor every part of a forklift’s operations.

When detecting improper or unsafe forklift operation, the Smart Factory solutions trigger alarms that immediately alert operators and security professionals when encountering hazardous environments or unsafe driving conditions are in progress. For example, if a driver is going over the pre-designated safe forklift speed limits, he/she will receive an instant notification and warning to slow down.

These alerts are also logged and sent to security professionals who are monitoring the environment either onsite, or from a centralized remote location. With realtime access to this information, security professionals can initiate the necessary responses. If a forklift is parked in the wrong location, similar alarms will be triggered.

The Smart Factory solution also offers valuable proximity detection notifications. This guarantees that a safe distance is maintained at all times between individuals and forklifts, among several forklifts, and between forklifts and other related equipment or structures, such as columned shelving units.

Along with enhancing the safety of forklift operations, the AI-enabled Hanwha Vision Smart Factory solution can do so much more. It can detect slips and falls, ensure entrances and exits are free from hazards, and help document compliance with all applicable safety standards.

The Path Forward: The ROI of Investing in AI Video Surveillance

In the rapidly changing maritime industry, AI-powered video surveillance offers vital advantages for reducing costs, enhancing safety, and boosting operational efficiency. Investing in these cutting-edge technologies has become a necessity for ports aiming to remain competitive, secure, and efficient in response to growing demands.

To unlock the full benefits of AI video surveillance, ports must choose the appropriate surveillance technologies and distribution partners. Additionally, it is important to provide training for employees on how to comprehend and utilize AI systems and thermal imaging.

Training should include both security personnel and those involved in operations and maintenance.

To learn how Hanwha Vision can help your port operate safer and smarter, contact our team of experts.