Project Partners

Maritime Academie Harlingen  leads in European Inland Waterway Transportation’s (IWT) vocational training. MAH excels in simulator implementation, operates state-of-the-art training vessels, and has extensive connections in the IWT sector.

LIHH is a joint venture of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, represented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Innovation, and the Logistik-Initiative Hamburg e.V.. The aim of this public-private partnership is to further expand the role of the Hamburg metropolitan region as the leading innovative logistics metropolis in Northern Europe and to network logistics-related companies and institutions. LIHH will fully exploit its quadruple helix model of innovation in this project.

SKAW is a shipping company focusing on domestic seaborne transportation using IWW. As entrepreneurs, The company  has identified a couple of early movers in the industry, which is interested in using IWT for their bulk flows. SKA’s product focus is on handling bulk materials with a pusher/dummy barge system.

Seafar specializes in the remote operation of vessels using cutting-edge AI and machine learning technologies. SEA’s expertise lies in combining vessel autonomy (navigation) and remote pilotage for smart and efficient shipping, particularly in inland waterways. With a background in software development, AI engineering, and marine knowledge, Seafar is well-suited to develop smart navigation solutions for urban environments.

NWL’s logistics transport enterprise contributes relevant competences and experience to the project, including close collaborations with Weser terminals, Wirtschaftsverband Weser e.V., and Bremen Ports GmbH & Co.KG. NWL possesses extensive expertise in barge transports, covering container transports and project cargo in the Bremen, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, and Wilhelmshaven regions, utilizing various modes of transportation.

IDIT is a research institute specializing in international transport law and brings relevant competences to the InnoWaTr2.0 project, including expertise in European Inland Waterway Transport regulations and comparative studies of regulatory frameworks, incentives programs and barriers to modal shift and greening IWT. Additionally IDIT has competences and appropriate experiences in analysis of alternative fuels and land-side infrastructure for IWT, expert insights into GDPR in transport, and analysis of Intermodal Transport Contract Models and Case Law.

OHB specializes in city logistics and construction material distribution. It is  actively involved in coordinating city distribution for construction materials in collaboration with Ghent, functioning as a Private-Public Co-operation (PPS).

Wirtschafrsverband Weser is a membership organization with 70 members, boasting strong connections in the German Maritime Business community. It possesses expertise in Project Management, the integration of varying Stakeholder interests, and has established a robust network within local, regional, and national administration.

TOP Mehrwert, a Hamburg-based SME logistics service provider, specializes in delivering added value and technical services in B2B and B2C logistics. With a strong background in research and development projects, The company owns expertise in Service Management, new technologies, and Logistics Systems Optimization. TOP’s strategic goal is to diversify transportation options for decarbonization.

Urban Waterway Logistics, categorized as "Other," is a Triple Helix consortium; uniting SMEs, government organizationsand research institutes. UWL specializes in urban waterway logistics, and actively engaging in real-life testing within Ghent.

Sogestran Logistics is an expert in waterways transport solutions in France and around of Europe. Thanks to its integrated design office and its subsidiary Blue Line Logistics, owner of its boats.SOG’s group has been developing a special barge designed to operate on inland waterways to transport goods of all sizes, as well as a wide variety of containers.

BP brings a set of competences and experiences to the project, encompassing infrastructure management of inland and sea ports in Bremen/Bremerhaven, which includes port development, planning, construction, and maintenance. Additionally, the organization has a proven track record in providing training, education, consultancy, and engineering services to both national and international clients. 

HHX possesses expertise in commercial shipping, including Inland Waterways (IWT) and related policy issues. It also has a strong focus on ship financing, with the ability to facilitate access to finance, handle financial structuring, and perform evaluations. Additionally,  it’s hands-on experience extends to greening; particularly in financing innovative solutions for decarbonization, including market-based measures (MBM). HHX is also proficient in standardizing procedures and transitioning them into the digital world.

CIRCOE, a spin-off of Le Havre port, offers a wide range of competences and experiences that are highly relevant to the project. These include a strong European network and connections with logistics players in Normandy. Furthermore, CIRCOE is supported by the Normandy Region and holds certification as a "Technological Resource Centre" by the French Ministry of Research. The organization's primary focus is on promoting economic development through logistics innovation. CIRCOE is skilled in optimizing logistics processes, which encompasses the application of LEAN Management and the use of logistics software tools like FLEXSIM and TRANSEPT. CIR also possesses a proven ability to implement innovative tools for logistics improvement and conduct business model reviews. Additionally, CIRCOE has gained significant experience in experimenting with groundbreaking logistical concepts at a European level.

Eindhoven University of Technology specializes in engineering science & technology. The Operations, Planning, Accounting & Control (OPAC) group, hosted within the department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences (IE&IS), focuses on controlling operational processes in various applications, including smart logistics. TUE addresses the challenges presented by digital, automation, and robotic technologies, seeking to optimize operational processes and achieve enhanced efficiency.

KLU is a private university that specializes in logistics and management. It is the world's sole university with a primary focus on logistics and supply chain management. KLU's expertise lies in sustainability, value creation, and digital transformation. The Centre for Shipping and Global Logistics (CSGL), supported by Hapag-Lloyd, conducts maritime research. CSGL aims to enhance the maritime industry's competitiveness by combining academic research with practical experience. It focuses on improving operational and environmental performance in the maritime and port sector, offering expertise in policy design, innovative technologies (e.g., wind-assisted propulsion systems, digitalization, and automation), and alternative fuels from a business, logistics, and sustainability perspective.

OMRIN (AFD) is the leading circular waste processor in the Netherlands, serving as a trusted knowledge partner for municipalities and provinces in achieving their VANG objectives. OMRIN possesses expertise in optimizing waste collection, transportation, and circular processing to generate reusable energy and materials. The company annually produces 14 million m3 of biogas; a portion of which fuels waste transport to processing facilities.

GUY's representative possesses several years of experience in collaboration with IWT, and the University hosts a research center specializing in various transportation modes, including ocean shipping and road freight, along with intermodal solutions. Furthermore, the university boasts an extensive network of contacts within the research and practitioner communities across the European Union and North America.

SSPA is a research institution part of RISE, the Swedish Research Institute, and has a strong focus on contributing to a sustainable maritime future. Areas of interest includes for example ship hull and propulsion, zero-carbon and low-carbon fuels and propulsion technologies, wind-powered ships, sustainable maritime logistics, human factors, computational fluid dynamics, ocean energy conversion and naval research. SSPA is experienced from combining the technical development at the research front of green shipping technologies with practical experiences and tools for involving stakeholders and analysis of logistics efficiency and its applications within the inland waterway shipping segment.

KOTUG is a leading global ship management operator with a fleet of over 100 vessels, encompassing inland pushers, tugs, line handlers, AHTS, offshore support, and escort vessels. It focuses on innovation, emphasizing assets, people, and digital platform development, driven by the energy transition. Notable achievements include pioneering the first zero-emission classified workboat, award-winning ship designs, a 360-degree bridge simulator, and the use of advanced technologies like our ERP system Tug-vision and AI-based routing through KOTUG Optiport. its commitment extends to developing emission-free logistics solutions for the entire shipping supply chain.

As a regional authority,   Province of Groningen plays a pivotal role in managing most of the inland waterways within within Groningen’s jurisdiction. We possess the necessary expertise and resources to facilitate and promote environmental-friendly inland waterway freight transportation. Leveraging  its regional responsibilities and in-depth knowledge of transport flows in Groningen:we are committed to advancing sustainable and efficient inland waterway transport. We have identified several key areas of focus for this endeavor, drawing from the valuable insights gained through our involvement in the InnoWaTr2.0 project.