The FOREMAST project played an active role at the Transport Research Arena (TRA2026), held in Budapest from 18–21 May 2026, where project partners presented research results, demonstrated project innovations, and engaged with stakeholders from across Europe’s transport and logistics sectors.
Throughout the event, FOREMAST welcomed visitors at the WaterborneTP exhibition booth, where attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the project’s vision for automated and zero-emission inland and coastal shipping and explore demonstration materials showcasing its technological developments.
A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of four FOREMAST research papers, addressing key challenges and opportunities for the future of sustainable waterborne freight transport.
The first FOREMAST contribution was presented during Technical Session 4: Routing Algorithms for Seamless Platforms, where Haris Latinopoulos (VLTN) introduced the paper “VRP Meets Inland Waterway Transport: Predictive Routing for Zero-Emission Vessels.” The research explored predictive routing approaches aimed at improving operational efficiency and voyage planning for zero-emission inland waterway vessels, contributing to more sustainable freight transport solutions.
On the following day, FOREMAST partners participated in Technical Session 5: Sustainable Waterborne Freight Systems, chaired by Nik Delmeire of ALICE – Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe. The session focused on how automation, digital twins, and zero-emission technologies can accelerate the transformation of inland and coastal shipping.
Javier Rivas Infante (PNO Innovation) presented the paper “Shifting Freight from Road to Water: Mapping the Innovation Ecosystem for Automated and Zero-Emission Inland and Coastal Shipping,” highlighting the importance of collaborative innovation ecosystems in supporting the modal shift of freight transport from road to waterways.
Pauline Bernat (VLTN) presented “Digital Twin-Based Energy Profiling for Zero-Emission Inland Waterway Vessels,” demonstrating how digital twin technologies can be used to optimise vessel energy performance and support sustainable operations.
Antonis Antonopoulos (Konnecta Systems) showcased “A Digital Twin Platform for Automated and Zero-Emission Inland Waterway Operations,” presenting an integrated platform designed to enhance automation, operational efficiency, and decision-making in inland waterway transport.
Beyond the technical sessions, TRA2026 also provided an opportunity for FOREMAST partners to strengthen collaboration and engage with the wider European waterborne transport community. Consortium members met with researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers to discuss the future of inland waterways and the role of digitalisation and automation in achieving Europe’s sustainability objectives.
The event further highlighted cooperation between FOREMAST and its sister project AUTOFLEX. Representatives from both projects exchanged experiences and advanced work on a joint use case that will be showcased during the FOREMAST final event, demonstrating how complementary vessel concepts and technological solutions can contribute to the future of sustainable inland waterway transport.
Through its exhibition presence, scientific contributions, and stakeholder engagement activities, FOREMAST demonstrated its commitment to accelerating the transition towards smarter, greener, and more efficient waterborne freight systems. The project’s participation at TRA2026 underscored the growing importance of automation, digital twins, and zero-emission technologies in strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of Europe’s inland and coastal waterways.
