During the demonstration, the inland container vessel MS Letitia sailed autonomously between terminals, travelling from the Amaliahaven on Maasvlakte through Europoort and the Nieuwe Waterweg to Waalhaven. Throughout the journey, the vessel operated safely alongside regular maritime traffic, carrying out key manoeuvres including departing from the quay, navigating through the port and docking independently.
While the vessel was able to perform these manoeuvres autonomously, the skipper remained on board and retained overall responsibility, with the ability to intervene whenever necessary. The system continuously monitored the vessel’s surroundings, detected other traffic and supported safe navigation by responding to changing conditions.
The trial was part of the MAGPIE project, which aims to accelerate the deployment of smart and sustainable port technologies across Europe.
Strengthening inland waterway transport
Inland waterways are an essential part of Europe’s multimodal transport network, providing an energy-efficient alternative to road freight while helping reduce congestion and emissions. As freight volumes continue to grow, improving the efficiency of inland shipping is increasingly important.
Autonomous navigation has the potential to support these objectives by assisting crews with navigation and decision-making, optimising vessel movements and improving safety. Demonstrations such as the one in Rotterdam help assess how these technologies can be integrated into everyday port operations while maintaining high safety standards.
“Autonomous sailing enables new logistics concepts that improve the flexibility, efficiency, and reliability of inland shipping, which is an important hinterland transport modality for the Port of Rotterdam,” said Oscar van Veen, Director of Innovation at the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
From demonstration to deployment
Europe faces major challenges related to the energy transition, industrial competitiveness, climate targets and strategic resilience. Ports are increasingly serving as centres for innovation, bringing together public authorities, industry, technology providers and researchers to develop solutions that contribute to climate neutrality, digitalisation and more resilient supply chains.
The autonomous sailing demonstration is one of ten large-scale demonstrators being implemented within MAGPIE project. Supported by the EU's Horizon research programme and coordinated by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, MAGPIE brings together 42 partners to develop, test and demonstrate innovations ranging from clean energy and smart logistics to digital technologies for port operations..
Following the Rotterdam demonstration, project partners Alphatron Marine, Argonics and Argonav will integrate elements of the autonomous navigation technology into their assistance systems for inland vessels. These include navigation support, collision detection and intention display functions, helping make innovative digital solutions more widely available to the inland shipping sector.
By demonstrating these technologies in active port operations, MAGPIE is helping build the knowledge and confidence needed for their wider uptake across Europe’s ports and inland waterways.
Green ports and airports
MAGPIE is also one of the the “EU Green Deal Ports and Airports” projects, alongside the fellow port initiative PIONEERS, and the airport projects STARGATE, TULIPS, and OLGA.
Working together as two highly active project clusters, these initiatives demonstrate how coordinated EU action is accelerating the green and digital transition efforts of ports and airports. Through large-scale demonstrations, strategic collaboration, and practical solutions spanning alternative fuels, clean energy hubs, smart mobility, and digital operations, they are delivering impact that extends well beyond the individual flagship projects.
As the projects draw to a close this year, their legacy reaches far beyond the innovations they have delivered. Equally important are the cross-sector partnerships tney have forged, the replication pathways established, and the strategic roadmaps they have developed for the future. Collectively, these projects have strengthened the role of ports and airports as drivers of innovation and climate-neutral transport, while providing valuable experience and inspiration for future initiatives to build upon.
MORE INFORMATION
- Reference
- SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Smart, Green And Integrated Transport
- Project duration
- 1 Oct 2021 - 30 Sep 2026
- Project locations
- NetherlandsDenmarkFranceGermanyPortugalSweden
- Overall budget
- €30 311 785
- EU contribution
- €24 964 56482.4% of the overall budget
- Project website
- MAGPIE project website