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MARISA · Project

Data Fusion Toolkit That Helps Maritime Security Agencies Detect Threats at Sea

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marisaproject.eu

Imagine you're a coast guard officer staring at dozens of screens — ship trackers, satellite feeds, social media alerts, weather data — all from different systems that don't talk to each other. MARISA built a single smart toolkit that pulls all those data streams together, spots suspicious patterns automatically, and flags potential threats like smuggling routes or illegal fishing before they escalate. Think of it as a "Google Maps for ocean security" that layers intelligence from every available source into one actionable picture. It was tested in real cross-border scenarios with 5 different security agencies across Europe.

By the numbers
22
consortium partners across Europe
9
countries represented in the consortium
57
project deliverables produced
5
security practitioner organizations as full partners for validation
10
industry partners in the consortium
The business problem

What needed solving

Maritime security agencies across Europe are drowning in data from incompatible systems — ship trackers, satellite imagery, radar, social media, intelligence reports — but have no unified way to fuse it all into actionable intelligence. Threats like smuggling, piracy, and illegal migration slip through because critical signals are scattered across disconnected platforms. The cost of missed threats is measured in lives, seized cargo, and compromised borders.

The solution

What was built

A modular data fusion toolkit (the MARISA Toolkit) demonstrated at PMM premises, comprising methods for correlating heterogeneous maritime data sources, spatial analysis, pattern detection, predictive modeling, and CISE-compliant reporting services. The project produced 57 deliverables across its 22-partner consortium.

Audience

Who needs this

Coast guard and naval command system integratorsPort authorities managing vessel traffic and securityDefense technology companies building maritime surveillance productsGovernment IT contractors serving border security agenciesMaritime insurance companies needing risk intelligence platforms
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Maritime Security & Defense
enterprise
Target: Defense technology integrators and naval command system providers

If you are a defense technology company supplying command-and-control systems to coast guards or navies — MARISA developed a data fusion toolkit with modules for correlating heterogeneous maritime data sources, including social media and internet intelligence. It was validated through cross-country trials with 5 practitioner partners across 9 countries, meaning the integration patterns are battle-tested against real operational requirements.

Port & Shipping Operations
enterprise
Target: Port authorities and large shipping companies

If you are a port authority or shipping operator struggling to monitor vessel traffic across multiple incompatible data feeds — MARISA built spatial and geographical analysis tools that merge ship tracking, sensor data, and open-source intelligence into a single operational picture. The toolkit includes predictive analysis models that can identify suspicious movement patterns, helping you act before incidents occur rather than after.

Big Data Analytics for Government
mid-size
Target: IT companies serving government maritime agencies

If you are a technology vendor building analytics platforms for government security agencies — MARISA created a modular suite of data fusion methods covering everything from pattern detection to predictive modeling. With 57 deliverables produced by a 22-partner consortium led by Leonardo, the toolkit's architecture is designed for integration into existing CISE-compliant systems, giving you a proven foundation to build commercial offerings on.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt the MARISA toolkit?

No pricing information is available from the project data. The toolkit was developed under an EU Innovation Action led by Leonardo S.p.A., a major defense contractor. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium, likely through Leonardo as coordinator.

Can this scale to cover an entire national coastline or multinational operation?

The toolkit was specifically designed for cross-country and cross-domain operations, validated through trials involving partners from 9 European countries. The architecture supports integration with CISE (Common Information Sharing Environment), which is the EU standard for maritime data exchange across member states.

Who owns the intellectual property and how is it licensed?

IP is shared among the 22 consortium partners according to their EU grant agreement. Leonardo S.p.A. as coordinator and primary industry partner likely holds key exploitation rights. Specific licensing arrangements would need to be discussed with the consortium.

Does this comply with EU maritime security regulations?

Yes — the toolkit was built within the CISE context, which is the EU's interoperability standard for maritime surveillance. It was developed under the SEC-19-BES-2016 call specifically targeting border and external security, meaning regulatory alignment was a core design requirement.

How long would integration into existing maritime systems take?

Based on available project data, the toolkit is modular — it provides a suite of methods, techniques and modules rather than a monolithic system. The MARISA Toolkit platform was demonstrated at PMM premises, suggesting it reached operational demonstration level. Integration timelines would depend on your existing infrastructure and which modules you need.

What data sources can it actually process?

The toolkit handles heterogeneous and homogeneous data from multiple sources including vessel tracking systems, sensor networks, internet and social media feeds, and spatial/geographical data. It includes big data ingestion capabilities and pattern recognition across these diverse inputs.

Is there ongoing support or has the project ended?

The project closed in February 2020. However, Leonardo S.p.A. — a major international defense and aerospace company — was the coordinator, which means the technology likely continues to be developed commercially. Contact through Leonardo's maritime security division would be the most reliable path.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a heavyweight consortium built for real-world deployment, not just research papers. Led by Leonardo S.p.A. — one of Europe's largest defense and aerospace companies — it includes 22 partners from 9 countries with a strong 45% industry ratio (10 industry partners). The presence of 5 practitioner organizations as full partners (likely coast guards and maritime agencies) means the toolkit was shaped by actual end users, not just engineers guessing at requirements. With only 2 universities out of 22 partners, this is clearly an implementation-focused effort. The 3 SMEs in the mix suggest specialized technology providers contributed niche capabilities. For a business looking to enter maritime security analytics, this consortium represents the key players you'd need to know.

How to reach the team

Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy) — reach through their Maritime Security & Surveillance division or EU project office

Order a report on this consortiumSee LEONARDO - SOCIETA PER AZIONI profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the MARISA consortium? SciTransfer can connect you with the right technical contact at Leonardo or the practitioner partners who tested this toolkit in real operations.

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