Integrating inland waterway transport in smart shipping and multimodal logistics chains

• Development and demonstration of enhanced solutions and tools to integrate IWT into overall logistics chains, achieving measurable gains in operational efficiency, environmental performance and social impact in line with NAIADES III objectives.
• Concrete recommendations for an EU regulatory framework on harmonised smart shipping, alongside contributions to standardisation bodies and amendments to the Inland Water Transport Digitalisation Vision.
• Organisation of stakeholder engagement activities, communication campaigns and events to raise awareness and drive increased use of inland waterway transport.

Proposals must: 1. Build on preceding H2020, Horizon Europe and CEF projects. 2. Focus on seamless physical and digital integration of IWT into multimodal logistics chains for a sustainable, efficient, safe, resilient, automated IWT system. 3. Explore innovative technologies (e.g. generative AI) to enhance connectivity. 4. Define and develop an IWT-specific multimodal data-sharing framework, ensuring compatibility with legacy systems and alignment with DTLF, EMDS, eFTI regulation, the revised ITS Directive and the RIS Directive. 5. Leverage existing platforms/frameworks—no new platforms to be created. 6. Identify and exploit existing or new datasets to improve IWT integration. 7. Design and implement at least four demonstration pilots in real operational settings (TRL ≥7), covering cross-border scenarios, diverse goods, routes and IWT basins (ideally along TEN-T corridors), led by industry stakeholders cooperating with shippers and public administrations. 8. Embed stakeholder impact assessment (environmental, social, economic) throughout the design lifecycle. 9. Analyse legal and regulatory gaps; propose an EU harmonised smart shipping framework and standardisation inputs. 10. Quantify the benefits of smart shipping and increased IWT usage; propose viable business models. 11. Conduct communication and outreach activities to promote IWT uptake.