Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEAMLESS (Safe, Efficient and Autonomous: Multimodal Library of European Shortsea and inland Solutions)
Période du rapport: 2023-01-01 au 2024-06-30
Sustainable transport has long been a development objective pursued by policies like the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) and the UN General Assembly Resolution on the “Role of transport and transit corridors” (A/RES/69/213). Achieving sustainable transport requires balancing economic, environmental, and social dimensions. However, supply chain challenges like congested infrastructure, administrative delays, and fragmented information hinder progress. Automated and autonomous ships and ports can address these issues, improving efficiency, environmental performance, and safety by enhancing supply chain integration and shifting freight to waterborne transport.
SEAMLESS aims to develop a fully automated, economically viable, cost-effective, and resilient waterborne freight feeder loop service for Short Sea Shipping (SSS) and Inland Waterways Transport (IWT). This service will be delivered 24/7 by autonomous cargo shuttles, with humans-in-the-loop at Remote Operation Centres (ROCs). These shuttles will interact with autonomous shore-side infrastructure and conventional systems, enabling seamless freight flows and real-time supply chain management. SEAMLESS will demonstrate its solutions in real-world scenarios across Europe, providing a framework for wider adoption. Regulatory gaps for autonomous vessels will be addressed, with recommendations provided to policymakers.
SEAMLESS aims to develop a fully automated, economically viable, cost-effective, and resilient waterborne freight feeder loop service for Short Sea Shipping (SSS) and Inland Waterways Transport (IWT). This service will be delivered 24/7 by autonomous cargo shuttles, with humans-in-the-loop at Remote Operation Centres (ROCs). These shuttles will interact with autonomous shore-side infrastructure and conventional systems, enabling seamless freight flows and real-time supply chain management. SEAMLESS will demonstrate its solutions in real-world scenarios across Europe, providing a framework for wider adoption. Regulatory gaps for autonomous vessels will be addressed, with recommendations provided to policymakers.
WP2: Redesigning Logistics has nearly been completed, establishing two full-scale Demo Use Cases (DUCs) and six Transferability Use Cases (TUCs). The SEAMLESS logistics architecture and standardization principles have been defined, and pathways to simplify administrative bottlenecks identified. The Concept of Operations (ConOps) and technological Building Blocks (BBs) requirements have also been set. Work on identifying regulatory challenges for SSS and IWT continues as planned.
WP3: Enabling autonomous operations has commenced, with development progressing on SEAMLESS BB No.1: DockNLoad, comprising an autonomous container handling crane, autonomous mooring solution, automated cargo stowage planning software (VCOP), and smart port calling software for autonomous vessels (AVSPM). VCOP will integrate with ASKO Maritime's operating system for the Northern European Use Case. Messages for vessel-to-ROC communication have been defined. Port process optimization for cargo handling and storage is expected to finish ahead of schedule.
WP4: Activating autonomous fleet operations focuses on SEAMLESS BB No.2: Modular vessel and operation concepts. A methodology for evaluating green powerplant configurations has been developed. A fault diagnosis scheme for autonomous vessel thrusters and navigational sensors has been established, and risk mitigation methods are underway. A risk-based approval process for autonomous vessels is being developed, along with a hazard analysis to evaluate combinations of operational phases and autonomy levels. ROCs will allow operators to control multiple vessels, with ongoing work defining operator roles and developing interfaces.
WP5: Digitalising Logistics Operations will develop SEAMLESS BB No.3: ModalNET. Requirements for secure data management have been established, and architecture for secure communication between supply chain assets has been developed. Ongoing work focuses on developing features to ensure logistics chain resilience, including the Computational Engine for Resilient Logistics (CERL).
WP6: Evaluating impact and developing sustainability-driven business models has identified technical, economic, environmental, and social KPIs for evaluating SEAMLESS BBs. Business model development includes analyzing existing models, developing a stakeholder database, conducting surveys and interviews, and reviewing relevant academic papers.
WP7: The Demonstrator and Validation Campaign has been successfully initiated by taking the first steps towards the definition of the demonstration and validation scenarios, as well as the development of potent integration testing pertinent to the demonstration of the project's technological outcomes.
WP3: Enabling autonomous operations has commenced, with development progressing on SEAMLESS BB No.1: DockNLoad, comprising an autonomous container handling crane, autonomous mooring solution, automated cargo stowage planning software (VCOP), and smart port calling software for autonomous vessels (AVSPM). VCOP will integrate with ASKO Maritime's operating system for the Northern European Use Case. Messages for vessel-to-ROC communication have been defined. Port process optimization for cargo handling and storage is expected to finish ahead of schedule.
WP4: Activating autonomous fleet operations focuses on SEAMLESS BB No.2: Modular vessel and operation concepts. A methodology for evaluating green powerplant configurations has been developed. A fault diagnosis scheme for autonomous vessel thrusters and navigational sensors has been established, and risk mitigation methods are underway. A risk-based approval process for autonomous vessels is being developed, along with a hazard analysis to evaluate combinations of operational phases and autonomy levels. ROCs will allow operators to control multiple vessels, with ongoing work defining operator roles and developing interfaces.
WP5: Digitalising Logistics Operations will develop SEAMLESS BB No.3: ModalNET. Requirements for secure data management have been established, and architecture for secure communication between supply chain assets has been developed. Ongoing work focuses on developing features to ensure logistics chain resilience, including the Computational Engine for Resilient Logistics (CERL).
WP6: Evaluating impact and developing sustainability-driven business models has identified technical, economic, environmental, and social KPIs for evaluating SEAMLESS BBs. Business model development includes analyzing existing models, developing a stakeholder database, conducting surveys and interviews, and reviewing relevant academic papers.
WP7: The Demonstrator and Validation Campaign has been successfully initiated by taking the first steps towards the definition of the demonstration and validation scenarios, as well as the development of potent integration testing pertinent to the demonstration of the project's technological outcomes.
SEAMLESS innovations revolve around three technological building blocks: DockNLoad, Modular vessel and operations concepts, and ModalNET. DockNLoad aims to automate port operations, with modules including an autonomous container crane, autonomous mooring, VCOP software, and autonomous vessel port call management. The Modular vessel concept includes a ROC enabling one operator to manage a fleet of three vessels, reducing operational costs. ModalNET builds on previous EU-funded projects, offering capabilities like fleet monitoring, ensuring resilience, and streamlining administrative processes through compliance with EMSWe regulations.
Beyond these innovations, SEAMLESS contributes to shifting transport to waterways through various studies. A risk assessment framework will address safety in cargo handling and mooring. An algorithm will optimize powerplant configurations based on Use Cases. A risk-based approval framework will standardize and accelerate the approval process for autonomous ships. SEAMLESS will evaluate its solutions from financial, environmental, and social perspectives and provide legal and regulatory guidance for early adopters and regulators.
Beyond these innovations, SEAMLESS contributes to shifting transport to waterways through various studies. A risk assessment framework will address safety in cargo handling and mooring. An algorithm will optimize powerplant configurations based on Use Cases. A risk-based approval framework will standardize and accelerate the approval process for autonomous ships. SEAMLESS will evaluate its solutions from financial, environmental, and social perspectives and provide legal and regulatory guidance for early adopters and regulators.