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What does it take for automated shipping to move from technological innovation to a viable transport service? This was at the centre of the SEAMLESS contribution to ECONSHIP 2026 in Chios.

Representing the SEAMLESS project, on 24 September in Chios, Greece, Prof. Harilaos N. Psaraftis presented the paper on the integrated economic and operational assessment of automated waterborne transport concepts.

The presentation highlighted a key message emerging from the project: the viability of automation cannot be assessed at vessel level alone. It depends on how autonomous vessels interact with ports and terminals, infrastructure, digital systems, operational processes and the wider logistics chain. This also opened a broader discussion with the audience around when automated waterborne transport can truly outperform conventional alternatives, which factors drive that advantage, and how strongly the answer depends on the specific transport scenario considered.

ECONSHIP 2026 also provided a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives with the maritime economics and transport community on the conditions needed to move automated shipping from technological development towards viable and scalable transport solutions.

Many thanks to the organisers and participants for the insightful discussions, and to SEAMLESS partners contributing to this work.