News & Press

Join the upcoming SEAMLESS webinar on 13 November 2026, organised in collaboration with ALICE, to explore how digital technologies can transform container loading and discharging operations, supporting the transition towards more automated and efficient inland waterway and short-sea shipping.

The webinar will introduce VCOP, an innovative web-based application developed within the SEAMLESS project, designed to streamline container handling operations and facilitate coordination among key logistics stakeholders, including vessel operators, cargo owners, cargo bookers, bay planners, port operators, crane operators and truck drivers.

A key focus will be on automated container stowage planning, demonstrating how VCOP generates stowage plans based on cargo bookings while considering vessel characteristics, sailing schedules and the requirements for safe navigation on inland waterways and at sea.

Beyond stowage planning, the session will explore how VCOP connects with other digital and automated systems, including Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) and autonomous cargo-handling equipment. These integrations also provide situational awareness to Remote Operation Centres (ROCs), illustrating how vessel operations, port activities and logistics processes can work together within an increasingly connected and automated transport chain.

By bringing these capabilities together, SEAMLESS aims to demonstrate how automation can extend beyond individual vessels to support more efficient, coordinated and economically viable waterborne logistics operations.

What will the webinar cover?

• Requirements and challenges for autonomous container stowage planning.
• Introduction to the VCOP platform and its key functionalities.
• Automated stowage planning based on cargo bookings, vessel characteristics and operational requirements.
• Integration with terminal systems, autonomous cargo-handling equipment and Remote Operation Centres.
• Opportunities for more integrated and automated inland waterway and short-sea shipping operations.

Speakers

The session will feature insights from two experts from MacGregor, a SEAMLESS project partner:

• Janne Suominen, Project Manager, B.Sc., M. Eng.
• Tero Sairanen, Master Mariner.

The webinar will be opened and concluded by Tomasz Dowgielewicz from ALICE.

Registration

Participation is free and open to both ALICE members and non-members.

Members of ALICE Thematic Groups TG2 and TG3 will receive a direct invitation with the connection details and do not need to register separately.

Other interested participants can register through the ALICE website or request to join TG2 or TG3 by contacting info@etp-logistics.eu.

Discover the webinar and register here

Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how SEAMLESS technologies are helping connect vessels, ports and logistics systems to shape the future of automated waterborne freight transport.