Windsor Port Authority adds Axis surveillance technology

WINDSOR, Ontario — Windsor Port Authority has improved waterway safety and security across its jurisdiction on the U.S.-Canada border with cameras from Axis Communications.

Located on the Detroit River, the Windsor Port serves as the passageway between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, navigating between 6,000 and 9,000 cargo vessels annually. In addition to commercial ships, over 10,000 small fishing boats and other recreational watercraft make their way through the port each year.

“Axis’ cameras, along with Accipiter’s radar technology, have been vital to keeping the port safe for all who pass through it,” said Peter Berry, Harbor Master and Vice President of Operations for Windsor Port Authority. “Without detailed knowledge of the traffic in these waters, the risk of severe accidents increases significantly, so having the ability to both detect and visually confirm incidents in real-time is invaluable. We’ve already been able to do some amazing things with the enhanced surveillance solution, like quickly rescuing drowning victims and helping to catch human smugglers, and we’re eager to see what the future holds as a result of this upgrade.”

Axis stated that While radar coverage from Accipiter has monitored river activity for years it lacked the visual detail needed to provide effective, remote observation. As a result of integrating Axis’ bispectral cameras into Accipiter’s platform, the port now has a 360-degree surveillance system with both thermal detection and visual verification. With this enhanced system, the port can: broadcast real-time warnings about obstructions in the channel, safely navigate craft through high-risk construction projects, deliver precise coordinates for faster rescue operations, and help to identify criminal activity.

“At Axis, we take pride in working with organizations like Windsor Port Authority to contribute to improved marine domain awareness and heightened safety along the border,” said Anthony Incorvati, Transportation Segment Development Manager for the Americas at Axis. “Combining advanced camera and radar technology ensures comprehensive visibility in maritime environments, providing essential detection and visual verification to resolve incidents quickly and effectively. Not only that, but powerful business intelligence capabilities contribute to improved operations across the organization.”

Looking ahead, the port plans to enhance its capabilities with drone awareness. By leveraging the Accipiter platform’s specially designed three-dimensional slew-to-cue software, Axis cameras will seamlessly transition from monitoring the river to tracking aerial targets using radar technology.