UNITY-6G partner Sotirios Spantideas of Four Dot Infinity (FDI) has co-authored a research paper titled “From 6G to SeaX-G: Integrated 6G TN/NTN for AI-Assisted Maritime Communications—Architecture, Enablers, and Optimization Problems,” recently published in MDPI’s Journal of Marine Science and Engineering.
The paper explores the transformative potential of 6G technologies in Maritime Communication Networks (MCNs), presenting a comprehensive review of how integrated Terrestrial/Non-Terrestrial Networks (TN/NTN) can create seamless, resilient connectivity across space, air, ground, sea, and underwater domains.
Key highlights from the research
The study outlines a reference architecture for heterogeneous MCNs, highlighting the limitations of current 5G deployments at sea and the technical innovations 6G brings, including:
- THz communications and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS)
- Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC)
- AI-native network design
- UAV-augmented coverage
The paper also explores maritime use cases such as fleet coordination, just-in-time port logistics, and low-latency emergency response. Beyond architecture, it proposes optimization scenarios for spectrum allocation, energy-efficient UAV communications, and edge task offloading, with AI/ML-based solutions to enhance performance and scalability.
The authors emphasize that technological innovation must be matched with regulatory evolution. Current maritime regulations have limited frameworks for mobile base stations on ships, UAVs, or other platforms, and the lack of harmonized frequency bands hinders large-scale 6G adoption at sea. The paper calls for international coordination and flexible spectrum-sharing frameworks to enable resilient, global maritime communications.
Future research directions include:
- Real-time, resource-constrained AI/ML models for maritime environments
- Digital twins for predictive analytics, fleet simulation, and port logistics
- Multi-agent emulation or hardware-based testbed validation
- Semantic and goal-oriented communication for ultra-low bandwidth and mission-critical applications
- Joint orchestration of communication, computing, and storage with cross-layer AI decision-making
The study paints a vision for intelligent, adaptive, and autonomous MCNs, positioning 6G as a central enabler for the next generation of maritime connectivity.
Abstract—The rapid evolution of wireless communications has introduced new possibilities for the digital transformation of maritime operations. As 5G begins to take shape in selected nearshore and port environments, the forthcoming 6G promises to unlock transformative capabilities across the entire maritime domain, integrating Terrestrial/Non-Terrestrial Networks (TN/NTN) to form a space-air-ground-sea-underwater system. This paper presents a comprehensive review of how 6G-enabling technologies can be adapted to address the unique challenges of Maritime Communication Networks (MCNs). We begin by outlining a reference architecture for heterogeneous MCNs and reviewing the limitations of existing 5G deployments at sea. We then explore the key technical advancements introduced by 6G and map them to maritime use cases such as fleet coordination, just-in-time port logistics, and low-latency emergency response. Furthermore, the critical Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) concepts and algorithms are described to highlight their potential in optimizing maritime functionalities. Finally, we propose a set of resource optimization scenarios, including dynamic spectrum allocation, energy-efficient communications and edge offloading in MCNs, and discuss how AI/ML and learning-based methods can offer scalable, adaptive solutions. By bridging the gap between emerging 6G capabilities and practical maritime requirements, this paper highlights the role of intelligent, resilient, and globally connected networks in shaping the future of maritime communications.
Keywords: 6G; AI/ML; deep reinforcement learning; maritime communications; non-terrestrial network; space-air-ground networks; UAV relaying; underwater network
Read the full paper to learn more about how 6G is set to redefine maritime communications.
