The technology for autonomous inland waterway transport is advancing fast — track guidance assistants and remote-controlled navigation are already on their way to established features of today’s ship operation.

But… how to integrate such smart ships into commercial logistics practice? The tasks of the shipmaster of an inland ship are manifold. Replacing them requires multiple novel solutions: multimodal transport planning including pre- and post-haul leg coordination, stowage planning and ship stability calculations, port call coordination, and mooring are to be addressed to fully exploit the potential promised by smart and green shipping, eventually resulting in a comprehensive novel transport service.

SEAMLESS will show the feasibility of such a comprehensive transport service – in a real-life logistics setting.

SEAMLESS is a Horizon Europe-funded research project dedicated to turning automated, zero-emission waterborne freight services into a reality — combining autonomous navigation, remote vessel supervision, and smart logistics to reshape how goods move in Europe across its ports, coastal routes, and inland waterways.

As part of this effort, the IWT Demo puts these technologies to display on one of Europe’s busiest logistics corridors, linking the ports of Rotterdam (NED), Antwerp-Bruges (BEL), and Duisburg (GER) — validating not just individual innovations, but real freight operations in a fully integrated logistics ecosystem.

But…is the sector itself ready to embrace it? This IWT Demo event brings together port authorities, ship and logistics operators, regulators, waterway authorities, and academia to witness these solutions in action and ask the harder question: what still stands between today’s pilots and tomorrow’s everyday operations?

Join us in Antwerp on 21 October 2026 as SEAMLESS brings this vision to the water and stimulates the discussion what is required to see this European transport innovation to be adopted in a broad manner.

At this event, shipping operators, port representatives, representatives from politics and public administration, and, of course, the research and technology development sectors will have their say, discussing both the achievements made and the obstacles to further progress. A colourful mix of fascinating talks, in-depth panel discussions and impressive demonstrations will be featured.

Don’t  miss this chance to see the future of inland waterway transport and waterborne logistics — live, on the water, in Antwerp. See you in October in the iconic Port House in Antwerp! The entire SEAMLESS consortium looks forward to welcoming you there!