Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AEGIS (Advanced efficient and green intermodal systems)
Reporting period: 2021-12-01 to 2023-11-30
The overall vision and objective of AEGIS was to:
1. Develop concepts for waterborne logistics systems with a functionality making them a real alternative for a shift in cargo transport from road to sea.
2. Develop smaller, lightweight autonomous vessel concepts as part of systems for competitive last-mile transport to smaller ports and destinations with an interlink to larger vessels calling at main ports.
3. Develop concepts for automated cargo handling, which in combination with urban connectivity and new and efficient terminals outside city limits are expected to reduce port and terminal costs.
The AEGIS project has concluded three demonstrators: 1. The autonomous crane by MacGregor. 2. Autonomous terminal tractors were demonstrated by Kalmar, 3. Kalmar showed through HIL simulation how reach stackers can be remotely operated by humans.
AEGIS has developed one mother ship (short-sea container ship) and two daughter ships (small feeder ships), a transversal loaded CEMT VI RoRo barge and two smaller front loaded CEMT IV and II RoRo barges, and a medium-sized short-sea RoRo ship and multipurpose shallow water coaster. All the developed vessels are equipped with low- or zero-emission propulsion systems, with battery containers for short ranges and hybrid solutions consisting of combustion engines for methanol plus batteries for longer distances.
The proposed short-sea container shipping concept with rural and urban connectivity has been validated through simulations with the SIMPACT tool developed in AEGIS. The results show that the proposed short-sea shipping mother-daughter and transhipment hub concept can compete with road and come out better if emphasis is put on the external costs related to truck transport. External costs should be highlighted when comparing transport modes, as maritime transport always will come out better.
For inland waterway RoRo transport, comprehensive calculations have been performed, and operational data and assumptions done based on RoRo barge solutions and innovative cargo handling equipment, show that the suggested barge solutions are economically viable even with conventional barges.
The two Danish ports have gained an increased understanding of logistical flows, specific considerations on autonomy in yard and ship operations, new advanced vessels, digital connectivity and cybersecurity, policy support and impact, and assessments of impact. The use case has concluded that there is both a financially and ecologically sustainable approach to developing green and innovative terminals in SME ports.
1. Develop concepts for waterborne logistics systems with a functionality making them a real alternative for a shift in cargo transport from road to sea.
2. Develop smaller, lightweight autonomous vessel concepts as part of systems for competitive last-mile transport to smaller ports and destinations with an interlink to larger vessels calling at main ports.
3. Develop concepts for automated cargo handling, which in combination with urban connectivity and new and efficient terminals outside city limits are expected to reduce port and terminal costs.
The AEGIS project has concluded three demonstrators: 1. The autonomous crane by MacGregor. 2. Autonomous terminal tractors were demonstrated by Kalmar, 3. Kalmar showed through HIL simulation how reach stackers can be remotely operated by humans.
AEGIS has developed one mother ship (short-sea container ship) and two daughter ships (small feeder ships), a transversal loaded CEMT VI RoRo barge and two smaller front loaded CEMT IV and II RoRo barges, and a medium-sized short-sea RoRo ship and multipurpose shallow water coaster. All the developed vessels are equipped with low- or zero-emission propulsion systems, with battery containers for short ranges and hybrid solutions consisting of combustion engines for methanol plus batteries for longer distances.
The proposed short-sea container shipping concept with rural and urban connectivity has been validated through simulations with the SIMPACT tool developed in AEGIS. The results show that the proposed short-sea shipping mother-daughter and transhipment hub concept can compete with road and come out better if emphasis is put on the external costs related to truck transport. External costs should be highlighted when comparing transport modes, as maritime transport always will come out better.
For inland waterway RoRo transport, comprehensive calculations have been performed, and operational data and assumptions done based on RoRo barge solutions and innovative cargo handling equipment, show that the suggested barge solutions are economically viable even with conventional barges.
The two Danish ports have gained an increased understanding of logistical flows, specific considerations on autonomy in yard and ship operations, new advanced vessels, digital connectivity and cybersecurity, policy support and impact, and assessments of impact. The use case has concluded that there is both a financially and ecologically sustainable approach to developing green and innovative terminals in SME ports.
AEGIS has developed innovative container ships and RoRo barges, all low- or zero emission. The smaller ships and barges are equipped with battery containers and the larger ships have combustion engines running on methanol.
The short-sea container shipping case has been validated through logistics and energy simulations with the SIMPACT tool developed in the project. Inland waterway RoRo transport, has been analysed and validated through comprehensive calculations. Furthermore, operational data and assumptions done based on the developed RoRo barge concepts and innovative cargo handling equipment were applied on the case. The two Danish ports have gained increased understanding of logistical flows, specific consideration on autonomy in yard and ship operations, new advanced vessels, digital connectivity and cybersecurity, policy support and impact, as well as assessments of impact.
The cost-benefit analysis has focused on the three sustainability pillars economy, environment and social and assessed the three use cases, where the results were positive both on emissions and cost. An assessment of the effects of the ETS scheme on the three use cases was also performed.
A methodology for safe and secure communication solutions to be used for inland waterways and short-sea shipping has been developed. The AEGIS project also developed the ISO 28005 standards for the ship-shore communication protocol and the data definitions, both for electronic port clearance and for the exchange of operational information between ship and shore. Grieg Connect has developed and extended their Port Community Systems with new services to cover requirements from small ports.
The investigation of policy support and measures unveiled that existing legal requirements in short-sea shipping often cause hindrance to fit the policy goals calling for a transition from land-based to maritime transport logistics. Regulatory and policy hurdles found in AEGIS were put into perspective with the background of the fit-for-55 package. Implementation measures for policy instruments were discussed from the standpoint of technological disruption; the main finding here is that policy support ought to consider the overall ongoing progressive introduction of newer technical solutions, both in automation and propulsion, leading to great societal change around port areas.
AEGIS had three demonstrators: 1. Autonomous crane, 2. Autonomous terminal tractors, and 3. Remotely-operated reach stackers. Automated terminal layout simulations, with a fleet of robotic reach stackers, were carried out for a specific terminal layout.
The project ensured high project visibility, with high collaboration efforts with other H2020 projects (i.e. AUTOSHIP, MOSES and NOVIMOVE), at conferences and fairs (i.e. SMM, TRA2022, ITS Congress 2023, ESREL and ICMASS).
Partly because of the AEGIS project, NCL decided to invest in mother ships and considers daughters, DFDS got inland barges high on the agenda and the collaboration between Port of Aalborg and Kalmar turned out to be very promising and the positive impacts from automation in terminal operations puts the AEGIS results high on the strategic agenda.
The short-sea container shipping case has been validated through logistics and energy simulations with the SIMPACT tool developed in the project. Inland waterway RoRo transport, has been analysed and validated through comprehensive calculations. Furthermore, operational data and assumptions done based on the developed RoRo barge concepts and innovative cargo handling equipment were applied on the case. The two Danish ports have gained increased understanding of logistical flows, specific consideration on autonomy in yard and ship operations, new advanced vessels, digital connectivity and cybersecurity, policy support and impact, as well as assessments of impact.
The cost-benefit analysis has focused on the three sustainability pillars economy, environment and social and assessed the three use cases, where the results were positive both on emissions and cost. An assessment of the effects of the ETS scheme on the three use cases was also performed.
A methodology for safe and secure communication solutions to be used for inland waterways and short-sea shipping has been developed. The AEGIS project also developed the ISO 28005 standards for the ship-shore communication protocol and the data definitions, both for electronic port clearance and for the exchange of operational information between ship and shore. Grieg Connect has developed and extended their Port Community Systems with new services to cover requirements from small ports.
The investigation of policy support and measures unveiled that existing legal requirements in short-sea shipping often cause hindrance to fit the policy goals calling for a transition from land-based to maritime transport logistics. Regulatory and policy hurdles found in AEGIS were put into perspective with the background of the fit-for-55 package. Implementation measures for policy instruments were discussed from the standpoint of technological disruption; the main finding here is that policy support ought to consider the overall ongoing progressive introduction of newer technical solutions, both in automation and propulsion, leading to great societal change around port areas.
AEGIS had three demonstrators: 1. Autonomous crane, 2. Autonomous terminal tractors, and 3. Remotely-operated reach stackers. Automated terminal layout simulations, with a fleet of robotic reach stackers, were carried out for a specific terminal layout.
The project ensured high project visibility, with high collaboration efforts with other H2020 projects (i.e. AUTOSHIP, MOSES and NOVIMOVE), at conferences and fairs (i.e. SMM, TRA2022, ITS Congress 2023, ESREL and ICMASS).
Partly because of the AEGIS project, NCL decided to invest in mother ships and considers daughters, DFDS got inland barges high on the agenda and the collaboration between Port of Aalborg and Kalmar turned out to be very promising and the positive impacts from automation in terminal operations puts the AEGIS results high on the strategic agenda.
AEGIS has focussed on developing novel concepts that promote a shift towards waterborne logistics in European transports by means of more automatic and autonomous solutions. Central elements are new vessel concepts and cargo handling technologies onboard vessels and in terminals. The latter is really were the project has demonstrated progress beyond the state of the art. AEGIS also focussed on digital connectivity and new business models which improve the competitiveness in waterborne logistics. AEGIS also looked into policy support & measures relevant for waterborne logistics as well as cost benefit analyses of this.
The cost benefit analysis show that the AEGIS concepts will contribute to improved competitiveness in waterborne logistics and to a shift from road transport towards waterborne transports. The work on new business models gave valuable input to operators concerning how they need to further develop their business and operations to see benefits of the AEGIS results. More automation and autonomy in waterborne logistics is compatible with sustainability and the need to build greener solutions. This has a positive impact on emissions, road congestion, noise as well as on societal issues. Autonomous vessel designs have less room for crew and generally have lower OPEX.
The results of AEGIS will contribute to meet the overall policy of EU for a considerable shift from road transport to waterborne solutions, thus to a reduction in GHG emissions to move the same amount of goods per mileage. Economic, environmental and societal issues were the most relevant dimensions in the work in AEGIS.
The cost benefit analysis show that the AEGIS concepts will contribute to improved competitiveness in waterborne logistics and to a shift from road transport towards waterborne transports. The work on new business models gave valuable input to operators concerning how they need to further develop their business and operations to see benefits of the AEGIS results. More automation and autonomy in waterborne logistics is compatible with sustainability and the need to build greener solutions. This has a positive impact on emissions, road congestion, noise as well as on societal issues. Autonomous vessel designs have less room for crew and generally have lower OPEX.
The results of AEGIS will contribute to meet the overall policy of EU for a considerable shift from road transport to waterborne solutions, thus to a reduction in GHG emissions to move the same amount of goods per mileage. Economic, environmental and societal issues were the most relevant dimensions in the work in AEGIS.