Frontex study shows potential of earth observation technologies

Frontex has published a report^[1] that aims to outline the potential of earth observation technologies for border surveillance. In a press release^[2], the agency explains that the aim is not to replace human capacities by this technology, but to provide border officers with additional tools and data to fulfil their mission. According to Frontex, the study is intended as a reference document to “border and coast guard authorities, policymakers and researchers across the European Border and Coast Guard community and beyond.”

The study includes some maritime use-cases on maritime border surveillance, vessel detection and tracking and  coastal- and pre-frontier monitoring.

When it comes to border surveillance, the report highlights that “border surveillance is a critical use case for EO (Earth Observation) technologies due to the vast oceans and coastlines that are difficult to patrol solely with ships or aircraft”.^[3] Key applications of the technology in the field of border surveillance relate to the monitoring of wide sea-areas, tracking of illegal fishing and smuggling activities as well as maritime search and rescue.  The study mentions several cases in which satellite technology helped authorities find and seize ships that were  smuggling drugs, cigarettes or other illicit goods. Earth Observation can also help monitoring illegal migration movements. In terms of weaknesses and threats of the application, the study points out weather-dependency, cybersecurity vulnerabilities and possible  detection avoidance by small vessels.

As regards vessel detection and tracking, it is considered “vital for maritime security, especially for countries with vast coastlines”.^[4] Here again, possible weaknesses relate to the fact that small vessels can escape the net and that there are vulnerabilities in terms of cybersecurity.

Coastal and pre-frontier monitoring is defined as “observing areas just outside or approaching a nation’s borders – coastal waters before boats land, or neighbouring territories that are launch points for migration or crime”.^[5] Given the extensive coastline of the EU, this is key to make border surveillance more efficient according to the study.

[1] https://www.frontex.europa.eu/assets/Publications/General/2025-12-05_Earth_Observation_for_Border_Management.pdf

[2] https://www.frontex.europa.eu/media-centre/news/news-release/new-frontex-study-shows-how-earth-observation-technology-can-strengthen-eu-border-security-OerWRx

[3] Frontex study, p.15

[4] Frontext study, p.19

[5] Frontext study, p.22