Understanding the seabed is key before initiating any marine construction project. Bathymetry, or detailed seabed mapping, consistently faces numerous challenges, including the inherent conditions of the sea itself.

These challenges have arisen during the Central Pier Extension, Phase 2, project at the Port of Bilbao. There, we conducted verification tests to enable operations with easily transportable semi-submersible uncrewed vehicles.

"We have innovated by installing a multibeam echosounder and a side-scan sonar on these units. Using acoustic waves, we acquire seabed elevation data," explains Alfredo Pérez, Head of Marine Works at Sacyr Engineering and Infrastructure’s Technical Services Department. Pérez was recently honored with the Natural Innovators 2025 award, a Sacyr internal program for the promotion and advancement of innovation.

"Thanks to this drone, we reduce CO2 emissions and enhance operational capability in the most unfavorable weather conditions," he explains.
"Tests have been conducted both in the open sea and within the port basin. This allows for a more thorough evaluation of the characteristics of this semi-submersible unit and enables a comparison with conventional methods," Alfredo Pérez adds.

Acoustic probes are the only ones that propagate effectively in turbid aquatic environments. This high-frequency echosounder generates a conical beam, providing a data point cloud with far more comprehensive seabed information than traditional single-beam echosounders. This point cloud is then used for data processing, interpolation, and noise reduction, ultimately rendered as contour maps for detailed seabed interpretation.

Bathymetric surveys performed with this method are compared with those obtained by conventional means, and an analysis is conducted to determine if the tolerances between both datasets are within acceptable values.

The echosounder used in Bilbao offers a scan that allows for real-time visualization of the seabed. It provides insights into the terrain's hardness and roughness and performs side scans for object detection. Its measurements can be taken in environments up to four times more challenging than those supported by conventional methods.

"In the future, our goal is to expand the inner data cone to 160 degrees. We also plan to install an antenna on the echosounder to use an airborne bathymetric lidar, which would provide both terrestrial and marine data in a single operation. This way, we will have complete terrain profiles, overlapping both the marine and terrestrial sections," says Alfredo.

Mining and underground works involve the presence of crystalline silica, a naturally occurring mineral known to be carcinogenic. To address this risk, we have implemented a continuous, real-time monitoring system designed to protect the professionals working on our projects.

Royal Decree 1154/2020 classified Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) as a carcinogenic agent, significantly reinforcing employers’ obligations in the field of occupational health and safety. In addition, the General Regulations on Basic Mining Safety Standards require an accredited Administration Collaborating Entity (ECA) to take dust samples every four months at workstations where there is a risk of exposure.

Our Health and Safety Department has gone beyond regulatory requirements by deploying a mobile system for continuous, real-time silica monitoring: the AIR S Silica Monitor.

“Having access to real-time data raises awareness of RCS exposure for both workers and management,” explains David Barreda, Prevention Manager at Sacyr Engineering and Infrastructure in Northern Spain.

Crystalline silica is a very common mineral found in rocks, sand, and soil. It is present in construction materials such as concrete and brick, as well as in activities like mining, quarrying, and construction. When its fine dust particles are inhaled, respirable crystalline silica becomes a serious health hazard, increasing the risk of lung cancer, silicosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

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The AIR S Silica Monitor was used during excavation works in the tunnels of the Access to the Outer Port of Langosteira project and will later be deployed during ballast spreading for track installation.

RCS levels can vary significantly depending on the stage of construction, with different exposure levels during blasting, debris removal, and drilling operations.

“This new system allows us to make informed decisions and continue reducing our employees’ exposure to RCS,” says David Barreda.

“The company is committed to protecting both our employees and our subcontractors. They value our concern for their health and the continuous control we maintain over the working environment,” he adds.

How the Monitor Works

The system analyzes multiple parameters in real time to detect RCS, including particle size, symmetry, and a range of unique optical markers characteristic of respirable crystalline silica particles.

At the same time, it uses optical refraction technology combined with light-scattering photometry, analyzing each sampled particle and classifying it according to its identifiable optical properties.

This approach allows the system to detect all forms of RCS — including alpha and beta quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite — across all relevant particle sizes within the respirable fraction.

The resulting data is combined with particle mass analysis to provide measurements in both mg/m³ and particles per liter.
Thanks to this comprehensive information, site management can make timely, well-informed decisions to ensure the safety of everyone working on the project.

We present the 2025 Innovation Report, a journey through everything we have been able to achieve together. Every project, every idea and every collaboration demonstrates that innovation is the driving force behind our drive to transform the world and meet our challenges.

During 2025, we allocated €8.2 million to the development of new solutions and launched 42 innovation projects. In addition, 40% of the initiatives had sustainability at their core, reaffirming our will to care for the planet as we move forward.

Innovation was also born of collaboration. Thanks to our commitment to Open Innovation, we developed 13 projects in alliance with startups, demonstrating that shared talent amplifies our capabilities and allows us to look further ahead.

Internal participation is also key. More than 2,700 professionals joined initiatives such as the 3 iFridays and 8 iPodcasts, spaces that inspire, connect and bring together new ways of thinking. And we celebrated the 10th edition of the Natural Innovators Awards, with 117 nominations from 11 countries, where we recognized the talent, creativity and innovative drive of 18 people.

With each step taken, we reinforce our commitment to a more efficient and sustainable infrastructure model with a positive impact on society and the environment. Innovation will continue to guide our roadmap and open up new opportunities to continue transforming the world we share.

Discover the 2025 Innovation Report here.