In February 2026, the OVERHEAT project successfully carried out its Spanish demonstration at InterSagunto Terminales (Sagunto, Valencia, Spain), hosted by Fundación Valenciaport, showcasing an innovative system for the early detection and management of container fires.
The demonstration involved the following OVERHEAT partners: Fundación Valenciaport, Peopletrust, TopView, Circoe, ISSNOVA, and Seatopic. Furthermore, Consorcio Provincial de Bombers de València (Valencia Firefighters) took part in the activities.
What was tested?
The pilot validated a fully integrated system combining IoT thermal sensors installed on containers (developed by Peopletrust), autonomous drones for aerial thermal inspection (developed by TopView), and a digital platform connecting ship and shore for real-time coordination.
Two controlled fire scenarios were carried out in a real terminal environment: a fire involving wood and straw, and a fire involving tyres and plastic materials. This allowed the system to be tested under different fire behaviours and realistic operational conditions.
Key Results
The Spanish demonstration delivered very positive results. The IoT sensors installed on the containers were able to detect combustion in less than 30 seconds from the initial ignition. Beyond early detection, the system successfully identified the type of fire and the evolving gas mixture, providing valuable information for assessing the situation. Even under extreme conditions — with temperatures reaching close to 500°C — the sensors managed to transmit a final alarm signal before being destroyed, confirming the robustness and reliability of the solution.
Once the alert was generated, the drone was deployed through a simple and intuitive “two-click” procedure. The aircraft autonomously followed a predefined inspection route over the affected area and transmitted thermal images in real time. This allowed operators to visually confirm the container involved and validate the alarm raised by the sensors, significantly enhancing situational awareness.
The demonstration also validated the full vessel-to-shore communication chain. Sensor data, drone imagery and alerts were integrated into a single operational interface, providing a unified and coherent overview of the incident. Firefighters received timely, structured information that supported a coordinated and rapid response, demonstrating the added value of an integrated digital ecosystem for emergency management.
Benefits for Stakeholders
The Spanish Use Case clearly highlighted the practical benefits of the OVERHEAT system for all actors involved in port safety.
For terminal operators, the system enables faster identification and precise localisation of fire incidents, helping to contain events at an early stage. This reduces operational disruption, protects infrastructure and cargo, and supports business continuity.
Port Authorities and Emergency Control Centres benefit from improved situational awareness and a clearer operational picture, strengthening decision-making processes in the most critical initial minutes of an incident. Enhanced command and control capabilities reduce uncertainty and improve coordination with all involved actors. Valencia Firefighters gain earlier alerts and a safer operational framework. The availability of drone-based thermal imagery before intervention supports better tactical planning and more efficient deployment of resources, reducing risks for emergency responders.
At regional level, emergency coordination structures benefit from more structured and timely information flows from the port side, facilitating multi-agency cooperation and improving readiness in case the situation escalates.
Finally, shipping companies and the wider maritime community benefit from a reduced probability of fire spreading to adjacent containers or vessels. This helps minimise cargo losses, operational downtime and potential environmental consequences, contributing to a safer and more resilient maritime transport system.
The Spanish Use Case confirmed that OVERHEAT provides a practical, integrated and scalable solution for improving container fire prevention and management in ports. By combining early detection, autonomous inspection and coordinated response, OVERHEAT strengthens safety across maritime transport.
