FOREMAST: pioneering Small, Flexible, Automated Zero-Emission Vessels

GOLIA is a Horizon Europe project whose mission is to create an inclusive, adaptive, and socially optimised urban mobility system through a new governance model integrating technological, social and legal innovations.  The project aims to shift the focus of mobility planning from purely economic considerations to a more holistic approach that incorporates social well-being, accessibility and sustainability. A key part of this approach is developing the Social Optimum Mobility Index (SOMI), which will support dynamic, data-driven decision-making across urban transport systems. 

The FLEXMCS project (Flexible Megawatt Charging Systems, open software architectures, and planning modules creating multi-charger hubs for the European electric mobility system) addresses the challenges of deploying electric charging infrastructure for trucks by designing highly energy efficient megawatt charging hubs that are flexible, scalable and sustainable. These hubs will not only support fast charging for HDVs, but also slower charging for light vehicles during off-peak hours, integrating renewable energy sources and aiming at reducing grid dependency and energy losses. FLEXMCS improved megawatt charging for logistics The FLEXMCS project brings together 15 partners from 9 countries to advance technologies and practices for the efficient deployment of megawatt charging hubs across Europe. By overcoming barriers related to infrastructure investment, grid capacity, and user convenience, FLEXMCS aims to: Design multiport Megawatt charging hubs with optimised layouts that minimise costs and maximise flexibility for different vehicle types. Develop open software architectures for real-time data exchange between charge point operators (CPOs), the energy grid and fleet managers to ensure efficient infrastructure utilisation and services. Streamline and accelerate the planning and installation of charging hubs, focusing on the most effective locations along TEN-T corridors. Conduct a six-month real-world demonstration at a site in Karlsruhe, Germany, to validate the technologies and tools developed with different vehicles and logistics operators. Gather business needs for viable MCS locations and specify future deployment scenarios and metrics. Key innovations include a central interoperable Energy Management System (iEMS), integration of renewable energy sources, and tools for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency. FLEXMCS demonstration and outcomes The FLEXMCS project will validate its innovative megawatt charging hub concept through a six-month demonstration at a dedicated hub in Karlsruhe, Germany. Key features include: Four megawatt charging points with multiport flexibility, supporting HDVs and light vehicles. Integration of renewable energy sources and stationary energy storage systems (BESS) to reduce grid impact. A digital twin-based Open Charging Framework architecture to optimise charging slot allocation, minimise downtime, and enhance user experience. Target utilisation of 20 vehicles per day during the demonstration phase to achieve significant cost and energy savings. What is ALICE’s role in the FLEXMCS project? In the FLEXMCS project, ALICE is responsible for engaging stakeholders, gathering user requirements and addressing barriers to the deployment of megawatt charging infrastructure. Through active participation in the work packages on requirements, deployment strategies and dissemination, ALICE supports the development of business models, stakeholder engagement and the alignment of FLEXMCS innovations with the logistics ecosystem to accelerate the transition to zero emission freight transport. In particular, ALICE will the set-up of an extended Stakeholder Group, which will be involved in the setting of requirements and needs. Moreover, ALICE will enlarge its stakeholder reach towards TSOs/DSOs and CPOs that are key enablers for the transformation of road freight transport towards electrification. Why ALICE is part of FLEXMCS? The FLEXMCS project aligns with ALICE’s vision of achieving an affordable transition towards zero emission logistics. The project will directly support the transport and logistics ecosystem by addressing the interdependencies between energy, infrastructure, vehicles, and logistics operations. The development of megawatt charging technologies is essential to overcome barriers to the deployment of electric trucks and to achieve Europe’s sustainability goals.

Giuseppe Luppino

AUTOSUP is a Research and Innovation Action project funded under the Horizon Europe programme, aiming to develop multimodal automatic freight transport concepts and solutions to enhance the operation of hubs as nodes in a Physical Internet logistics network. AUTOSUP will closely work in two intermodal nodes (L-Hubs): the port of Trieste and the port of Antwerp – Bruges. This project, which commenced on 1 June 2024 and spans 36 months, brings together a multidisciplinary team of 16 partners. These partners include four key organisations actively engaging their ecosystems of Transport and Logistics stakeholders. AUTOSUP focuses on several strategic objectives: Defining automation requirements: The project aims to establish the necessary automation requirements (needs, opportunities) to achieve seamless multimodal automatic freight transport, ensuring interoperability and efficiency across various transport modes. Empowering stakeholders with a Decision Support System: An open, data-driven Decision Support System (DSS) will aid T&L stakeholders in defining automated processes. This system will facilitate strategic decision-making, allowing for feasibility studies via simulation to assess new solutions’ efficiencies and impacts, considering sustainability, financial, and social dimensions. Supporting transition paths to automation: Two Living Hubs – Antwerp-Bruges and Trieste ports – serve as focal points for demonstrating the link between major transport nodes and road corridors, rail, inland waterways, and airports. These hubs will cover six diverse use cases, providing real-world insights into automation transition. Designing new models for autonomous logistics: The project team will develop innovative operational, governance, and organisational change management models to incentivise cross-mode collaboration and reduce investment costs, fostering a cohesive and efficient autonomous logistics network. Validating solutions: Through feasibility analyses, impact assessments, and stakeholder engagement, the consortium partners will validate the operational and cost efficiencies of the proposed solutions, ensuring practical applicability and scalability. Establishing a strategic alliance: AUTOSUP will form a strategic alliance and thematic working group to align multimodal automation adoption roadmaps across rail, road, aviation, waterborne, and alternative transport modes. The project aims to lower automation adoption barriers through comprehensive transition guidelines, capacity-building sessions, and policy recommendations

Giuseppe Luppino

The AUTOMOTIF project is at the forefront of advancing automation in multimodal transport systems across the intra-European network. Aiming to improve the interoperability and integration of automated transport systems, AUTOMOTIF seeks to transform the logistics supply chain, improving efficiency and sustainability through operational automation. AUTOMOTIF is built around five S.M.A.R.T. objectives designed to address both the current challenges and future needs of freight transport: Operational automation requirements: Define and standardise the technological needs across different transport hubs to facilitate seamless freight movement, reducing environmental, social, and economic impacts. Simulation of automated systems: Execute comprehensive simulations in various settings (vessel calls, rail terminal operations, etc.) to validate the benefits and feasibility of automation in real-world scenarios. Impact assessment: Evaluate the economic, societal, and environmental impacts of integrating automated systems in multimodal transport. Investment and adoption strategies: Develop strategies to reduce the investment barriers and enhance the uptake of automated solutions within the logistics sector. Regulatory frameworks: Formulate and recommend policies to support the widespread adoption of automation technologies in multimodal freight transport.