The Port of Riga to become a testbed for resilient maritime connectivity, as LVR Flote and HARDMODE sign MoU

LVR Flote, a provider of port services, and HARDMODE, a connectivity technology company, have formed a partnership aimed at developing and testing secure communication technologies for the maritime sector. The collaboration, signed during the Techritory Forum in Riga, will focus on deploying resilient and secure communication systems from routine operations to crisis situations. The Port of Riga will be utilized as a real-world testing environment for these new technologies.

The partnership aims to pilot communication solutions in real port operations, pursue joint research and development projects, and explore the commercialization of successful solutions for use in other European ports. Both companies recognize the critical role of real-time data exchange in the maritime sector, with ports relying on sensors, vehicles, drones, and other infrastructure elements that must remain connected at all times.

Artūrs Lindenbergs, Founder & CEO at HARDMODE, explained that their approach combines multiple technologies to ensure resilience, with each node carrying both the network and software required for specific use cases. This decentralized system allows for direct connections between nodes, creating a unified solution rather than a collection of separate systems.

The partnership acknowledges the growing challenges to connectivity in the Baltic Sea region, where repeated GNSS interference has impacted shipping and port operations. HARDMODE's dual-use connectivity solutions cater to defense, critical infrastructure, first responders, and maritime environments, with the goal of creating a single ecosystem that supports port operations.

For LVR Flote, this collaboration provides an opportunity to test technologies against real operational requirements, with potential applications including infrastructure monitoring, data management, navigation safety, maintenance, and other port services. Kaspars Ozoliņš, Member of the Board at LVR Flote, emphasized the importance of developing solutions based on real operational needs and growing stronger together.

The collaboration extends beyond connectivity, with the partners planning to create an open testing framework that could involve other technology companies. This open framework would allow for the testing of sensors, monitoring systems, automation technologies, and digital port services, all of which rely on secure communications.

LVR Flote brings operational expertise and real service requirements to the partnership, while HARDMODE provides the innovative communication solutions. The cooperation between the Netherlands and Latvia, represented by HARDMODE and LVR Flote respectively, highlights the international dimension of the partnership. The Port of Riga serves as a real-world testbed for these pilots, which could pave the way for joint international research and development initiatives and potential scaling of successful solutions across Europe.