Kotug is proudly partner of InnoWaTr (Innovative Waterway Transportation), a sustainability and innovation project funded by the EU. InnoWaTr aims to open up inland waterway transport to additional freight flows through cooperative Freight Flow Coalitions (FFC) and, in doing so, promote the Modal Shift, which is the shift of transportation from the road to inland waterways and inland water routes.
More information about the project is to be found on the LinkedIn page and the InnoWaTr website.
Short information
– Project Duration: April 2023 – June 2026
– Programm EU Interreg North Sea Region 2021 – 2027 (European Regional Development Fund)
– Project Budget: Total 5.74 million EUR, Funding (ERDF): 3.45 million EUR.
Project Focus Areas
- Testing a collaborative Freight Flow Coalition (FFC) approach.
- Deployment of autonomous or remotely controlled vessel units in the participating regions.
- Accelerating the sustainability of inland shipping.
- 8 pilot tests within regional FFC cooperations
Project partners & associated partners
The project consortium consists of 25 partners from 5 different countries (Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France, Sweden) and brings together academic and economic actors, as well as cities and regions.
Project Partners
- Logistik-Initiative Hamburg, DE
- TOP Mehrwert-Logistik GmbH & Co. KG, DE
- Wirtschaftsverband Weser e.V, DE
- Kuehne Logistics University gGmbH, DE
- bremenports GmbH & Co. KG, DE
- HHX.blue GmbH, DE
- Norddeutsche Wasserweg Logistik GmbH, DE
- Opleidingscentrum voor Hout en Bouw vzw, BE
- SEAFAR, BE
- POM Oost-Vlaanderen, BE
- Urban Waterway Logistics, BE
- Maritieme Academie Harlingen, NL
- Provinz Friesland No, NL
- Provinz Groningen No, NL
- Afvalsturing Friesland NV (OMRIN), NL
- KOTUG International BV, NL
- Auto mooring Solutions, NL
- Eindhoven University of Technology, NL
- Sogestran Logistics, FR
- Institut du Droit International des Transports, FR
- CIRCOE Centre de conseil et d’innovation en logistique, FR
- SSPA Sweden AB, SWE
- Göteborgs universitet, SWE
- Skaw Shipping & Transport, SWE
Kotug’s Role in the Project
WP1:
- Shipowner in FFC: “First middle last mile logistics waste” allocate position and cooperate.
WP2:
- Develop remote controlled E-Pusher.
- Hardware for virtual experience in the Logistic Digital Twin.
- Get experience with biogas-electric propulsion,
- Input business modelling OPEX CAPEX, operation.
WP3:
- Feasibility use case pilot with OMRIN for competitive and sustainable solutions as an example of zero emission shipping in other new NSR regions.
- E-Pusher Series can work with all types of energy (Full electric/Stage V diesel/Hydrogen) due to newly developed AC/DC power intake and electric thrusters.
- Design scalable to ports/terminals as well as city logistics.
- Strategic white paper on setup of E-Pusher Chain integration (including circular cargo and energy solution)
- Demonstration all-in-one solution to the industry for (inland) waterborne logistics with live demonstration to other projects and stakeholders in NSR regions. Leading research & development
Project contents & goals
As part of the European Green Deal and the Fit-for-55 package, the European Union aims to significantly reduce emissions from inland waterway transport. The EU’s goal, among others, for inland waterway transport is net-zero emissions. This means that greenhouse gas emissions from inland waterway transport must be completely offset by 2050. This can be achieved through a combination of measures, such as the introduction of carbon pricing, the promotion of renewable energy and hydrogen use, and the improvement of ship efficiency.
In the implementation of these goals, shipowners also play a crucial role. They are often small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) heavily dependent on other stakeholders. Inland waterway transport companies alone are not in a position to convince financiers with long-term securities and sufficiently sustainable proposals to realize innovations.
The InnoWaTr project introduces a collaborative approach that serves as a practical and inspiring strategy for massive follow-up. The InnoWaTr solution shifts the focus from inland waterway transport companies alone to the level of holistic freight flows, involving all relevant stakeholders. By uniting interest groups in dedicated Freight Flow Coalitions, interests, responsibilities, benefits, costs, and benefits are shared, resulting in a proven model approach that works.
The goal of InnoWaTr is to create broad awareness of the added value of a practical and well-guided approach. InnoWatr is committed to stakeholder-targeted communication, supported by inspiring practical guidance, achieved results, and applied strategies.
Project results
The project is not yet completed. Project work status and results will be published regularly on this website and social media.
Are you active in the field of user-centric & agile innovation for public authorities and multi-stakeholder ecosystems, do you have questions on the topic or would like to implement or discuss a project idea in this area together with our network? Then you are welcome to contact us via LinkedIn page and the InnoWaTr website.