Rotterdam reaches milestone in autonomous shipping
(Posted on 11/06/26)
The port of Rotterdam has formed the setting for a significant milestone in the development of autonomous sailing. During a demonstration, the Port of Rotterdam Authority and partners within the European MAGPIE project showed how an inland vessel can sail independently from one terminal to another in a busy port. The vessel navigated safely among regular maritime traffic.
The MS Letitia (HTS Group) sailed from Amaliahaven on the Maasvlakte via Europoort and the Nieuwe Waterweg to Waalhaven in Rotterdam. The conventionally powered inland container vessel MS Letitia operated autonomously during the demonstration. The vessel was able to perform manoeuvres such as undocking, sailing through the port and along the river as well as docking independently. At the same time, the system continuously monitored its surroundings, detecting other vessels and safely avoiding them where necessary, taking the environment into account. The skipper remains ultimately responsible and can intervene at any moment, while the system provides support for the navigation and decision-making.
Oscar van Veen, Director of Innovation at the Port of Rotterdam Authority: ‘Autonomous sailing enables new logistics concepts that improve the flexibility, efficiency and reliability of inland shipping, which is an important hinterland transport modality for the port of Rotterdam. Containers, bulk and liquids transported via inland waterway reduce pressure on the road network and are moved more energy-efficiently than by road. With the growth in freight throughput, it is essential that inland shipping maintains and expands its share of freight transport. Autonomous sailing could play a role in this.’
Europe faces major challenges related to the energy transition, industrial competitiveness, climate targets and strategic resilience. Ports are playing an increasingly important role as locations where innovations are developed and applied in practice. The MAGPIE project was established to accelerate this development.
Autonomous shipping is one of the ten demonstration projects within MAGPIE. These demonstrators across maritime, inland waterway, rail and road transport provide practical insights that ports can implement immediately to support the transition towards greener operations.
Project partners Alphatron Marine, Argonics and Argonav will integrate elements of this demonstration in their assistance products for inland vessels. argoPositionPilot is now available for vessels with a fixed propeller and rudder, while argoRadarPilot can display intentions and will feature collision detection.
MAGPIE (sMArt Green Ports as Integrated Efficient multimodal hubs) is a European innovation project aimed at accelerating the transition to climate-neutral ports. Coordinated by the port of Rotterdam and co-funded by the European Union, MAGPIE brings together 45 partners to develop, test and scale innovations in clean energy, digitalisation and sustainable logistics.
Latest News
Dry bulk falls at Bilbao as port sees large year-on-year increase
(Posted on 25/07/26)In the first half of the year, the Port of Bilbao, Spain, handled 17,317,427 tonnes of cargo, an increase... Read more
Antwerp-Bruges stands firm as geopolitical forces reshape trade flows
(Posted on 16/07/26)In the first half of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo, a... Read more
PD Ports announce Paul Foreman as new CEO
(Posted on 16/07/26)PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port and logistics businesses, announced today that Paul Foreman... Read more
New San Diego bulk sugar import facility to use only electric trucks
(Posted on 03/07/26)The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an Option to Lease Agreement and authorised... Read more
Expanded partnership through bulk infrastructure development at Khalifa Port
(Posted on 30/06/26)AD Ports Group, an Abu Dhabi based, leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more
Port of Hamburg strengthens partnership with China
(Posted on 29/06/26)The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a Port Partnership Agreement... Read more
Contract awarded for Pilbara Ports Zone 5 Bypass Channel
(Posted on 29/06/26)The Cook Labor Government in Australia has welcomed the award of a dredging contract to Jan De Nul ... Read more
Netherlands Parliamentary rules out Maasvlakte II as location for new nuclear power plants
(Posted on 29/06/26)A parliamentary letter in the Netherlands on the selection of a site for the construction of two new... Read more
SSAB’s port operations in Raahe develop safety together with ESL Shipping
(Posted on 25/06/26)The long-term safety cooperation between ESL Shipping and the port of SSAB’s Raahe site is visible... Read more
Liverpool sees 200% rise in fertiliser imports interest amid ongoing uncertainty
(Posted on 22/06/26)The Port of Liverpool is experiencing a surge in demand from fertiliser importers as continued uncertainty... Read more
