The Port of Rotterdam Authority and partners within the European MAGPIE project have conducted a demonstration showing an inland vessel sailing independently between terminals within the regularly operating port environment.
The conventionally powered inland container vessel MS Letitia, operated by HTS Group, travelled autonomously from Amaliahaven on the Maasvlakte via Europoort and the Nieuwe Waterweg to Waalhaven in Rotterdam.
During the demonstration, the vessel independently performed manoeuvres including undocking, river navigation, and docking, while safely avoiding regular maritime traffic. The autonomous system continuously monitored the environment to detect and avoid other vessels, while the onboard skipper maintained ultimate responsibility and could intervene at any moment to support navigation and decision-making.
“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,” said Oscar van Veen, Director of Innovation at the Port of Rotterdam Authority.
“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.”
The trial is one of 10 demonstration projects within MAGPIE (sMArt Green Ports as Integrated Efficient multimodal hubs), a European innovation project co-funded by the European Union to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral ports. Coordinated by the Port of Rotterdam, the project brings together 45 partners to develop, test, and scale innovations across clean energy, digitalisation, and sustainable logistics.
Following the demonstration, project partners Alphatron Marine, Argonics, and Argonav plan to integrate elements of the technology into their navigation assistance products for inland vessels.
