Our partnership with the Freeport of Riga has been highlighted in a recent Business Insider article! This recognition underscores the significant impact of our 5G innovations in maritime logistics and solidifies our position as a leader in telecommunications advancements.
The article details how the bustling Freeport of Riga, a critical hub for Baltic Sea trade, is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with LMT at the forefront of deploying a cutting-edge private 5G network. This collaboration is not only enhancing port operations but also paving the way for advanced autonomous maritime technologies.
Historically reliant on Wi-Fi and 4G, the Freeport of Riga faced increasing challenges in connecting its expanding array of autonomous technologies, such as sea drones performing ship inspections and monitoring pollution. The sheer volume of data and the need for real-time, secure exchange between moving objects like ships demanded a more robust solution.
Pushing the boundaries of maritime 5G
In 2020, LMT partnered with the Freeport of Riga Authority to begin the rollout of 5G connections across the port. This strategic move was driven by 5G’s superior capacity to support a multitude of devices simultaneously, a critical advantage for industrial applications like logistics.
One of the initial successes of this partnership was the establishment of a private 5G network within the Baltic Container Terminal. By replacing 22 Wi-Fi access points with a streamlined system of one central control and two outdoor antennas, LMT dramatically improved data transmission speeds by more than ten times. This immediate boost in connectivity had tangible benefits, including the seamless integration of push-to-talk communications for transmitting images and videos, and eliminating delays caused by container reach stackers waiting for stable connections.
The true innovation, however, lies in LMT’s development of a “multi-hop” method to connect ships in transit, extending the 5G network far beyond the mainland. This ingenious technique transforms ships into floating telecom base stations, where one vessel connects to the mainland’s 5G antenna and then relays that connection to subsequent ships.
This groundbreaking approach was successfully tested in November 2023 with LĪVA, the Baltic Sea’s first 5G-equipped ship. A more complex trial in July involved connecting two ships with an airborne drone, enabling real-time seabed surveys and video footage transmission back to the port – crucial for safe navigation.
The multi-hop technique allows ships to connect up to 18 miles apart, with up to five vessels forming a chain, extending the total network range at sea to over 100 miles. This robust, real-time connectivity provided by LMT’s 5G solution is making port operations safer and more responsive.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between LMT and the Freeport of Riga is set to transform the port into a unique testbed for next-generation maritime technologies, including a Remote Operations Center platform for autonomous maritime systems. LMT’s pivotal role in deploying this advanced 5G infrastructure is not only optimizing current port functions but also attracting high-value investments and new revenue streams.
The recognition in Business Insider is truly a step in the right direction, spreading the word that Riga is indeed at the forefront of maritime innovation, and LMT is honored to play a major part in this success.
Read the full article on Business Insider here.