Highlights of the AWARD Final Conference
On 13 June, the AWARD Final Conference served as a ...
Home
/ Activities / ALICE projects /
FOREMAST
Freight vOlumes transfer from Road to waterborne transport, using zero-EMission, Automated, Small and flexible vessel protoTypes
FOREMAST is developing a new generation of Small, Flexible, Automated Zero-Emission (SFAZ) vessels to enable a shift of freight from road transport to cleaner and more efficient inland waterway and coastal logistics.
Project information
Status
Ongoing
Duration
1 January 2024 – 31 December 2026
Project type
Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action
Grant Agreement Number
101138261
Call
HORIZON-CL5-2023-D5-01
ALICE Project Manager
Factsheet
Related ALICE Thematic Group
Related Community
Keywords
- Inland waterway transport
- Autonomous vessels
- Zero-emission logistics
- Digital Twin
- Modal shift
- Clean vehicles – Sustainable transport - general – Autonomous, Vessels, Automated Smart Terminals, Logistics networks, Hybrid Electric, Fuel Cell, Digital Twin,+
Project overview
European freight transport faces growing challenges related to congestion, emissions, energy consumption and infrastructure capacity. Inland waterways offer significant untapped potential for sustainable freight transport but require innovative vessel concepts and operating models to compete effectively with road transport.
FOREMAST addresses this challenge by developing and validating Small, Flexible, Automated Zero-Emission (SFAZ) vessels capable of operating efficiently in inland waterways, urban logistics networks and coastal regions. Combining automation, advanced navigation systems, digital twins, hydrogen and battery-based propulsion technologies, and innovative vessel designs, the project aims to increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of inland waterway transport.
Through real-life demonstrations and stakeholder engagement, FOREMAST supports Europe's ambition to decarbonise freight transport while improving logistics efficiency and resilience.
Objectives and expected outcomes
Objectives
FOREMAST is built around four innovation pillars:
01
Automation and navigation (P1)
Develop selectable levels of automation through advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) systems, situational awareness technologies and next-generation remote-control centres.
02
Zero-emission energy solutions (P2)
Design and validate hybrid electric and hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion systems supported by smart energy-management solutions.
03
Vessel design and innovation (P3)
Develop innovative SFAZ vessel concepts optimised for flexibility, cargo capacity, shallow-water navigation and urban logistics operations.
04
Operational optimisation tools (P4)
Create a Digital Twinning Platform supporting vessel design, logistics planning, performance monitoring and operational optimisation.
Expected results
01
SFAZ autonomy control system prototypes reaching TRL5.
02
Remote-control centre solutions reaching TRL5.
03
Innovative Class I and Class II vessel concepts for inland waterways.
04
Hybrid electric and hydrogen-powered zero-emission vessel solutions.
05
Digital Twin-based optimisation tools for vessel and logistics operations.
06
Business models supporting modal shift from road to waterborne transport.
07
Regulatory recommendations for automated and zero-emission inland vessels.
08
Technology blueprints supporting replication and wider deployment.
Demonstrations, pilots and validation
FOREMAST validates its solutions through three Living Labs representing different operational environments.
LIVING LAB 01
Ghent (Belgium)
The Ghent Living Lab demonstrates a retrofitted autonomous vessel operating within urban logistics chains. Activities include:
- Automated navigation and remote operation.
- Vessel platooning.
- Automated mooring.
- Hydrogen and battery-electric propulsion solutions.
- Integration into synchro-modal logistics networks.
LIVING LAB 02
Caen (France)
The Caen Living Lab focuses on last-mile logistics using a newly developed SFAZ catamaran featuring:
- Remote-controlled sailing.
- Swarm and cooperative vessel operations.
- Autonomous navigation capabilities.
- Cybersecure communications.
- Electric propulsion technologies.
VIRTUAL LIVING LAB 03
Galati and Danube Delta (Romania)
The virtual Living Lab uses Digital Twin technologies to evaluate:
- New vessel designs for shallow waterways.
- Autonomous vessel concepts.
- Electric and hydrogen propulsion systems.
- Transferability of FOREMAST solutions to other regions and waterways.
Validation across the Living Labs
Validation activities assess operational efficiency, modal-shift potential, safety, economic viability, environmental performance and stakeholder acceptance.
ALICE's role
ALICE supports the wider adoption and deployment of automated zero-emission inland waterway transport solutions.
Within FOREMAST, ALICE leads activities related to:
Adoption of SFAZ vessels
- Supporting the integration of SFAZ vessels into inland waterway transport operations.
- Identifying opportunities for modal shift from road to water.
- Facilitating stakeholder engagement across the logistics ecosystem.
Business models and deployment guidance
- Developing recommendations and guidance for logistics stakeholders.
- Contributing to business models and adoption pathways for innovative vessel concepts.
- Supporting innovation uptake and market deployment.
Regulatory and policy framework
- Engaging with regulators and standardisation bodies.
- Supporting the development of regulatory pathways for automated and zero-emission vessels.
- Contributing to recommendations for future policy and regulatory frameworks.
Dissemination and stakeholder engagement
- Supporting communication activities.
- Connecting project results with the wider ALICE network and logistics community.
- Promoting knowledge transfer and replication of successful solutions.
Related project contributions
- Support to the European Partnership on Zero Emission Waterborne Transport (ZEWT).
- Alignment with NAIADES III, PLATINA 3, DIWA and Waterborne initiatives.
- Knowledge exchange with relevant Horizon Europe projects focused on automation and sustainable waterborne transport.
Project resources
- Project website: https://foremast.eu/
- LinkedIn: FOREMAST on LinkedIn
- X: FOREMAST on X
- Project flyer: FOREMAST project flyer
- Small Flexible Autonomous Zero Emission Vessel
- Autonomous vessel network simulation
- Digital Twin vessel design presentation
Consortium
Coordinator
- INLECOM Group (Coordinator)
Consortium members
Opleidingscentrum Voor Hout en Bouw VZW (OHB), ABB Business Services Spolka z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia (ABBBS), ABB Oy (ABBFI), SEAFAR, NEAC Industry, Instituto Tecnologico de Aragon (ITA), Konnecta Systems IKE (KNT), P&E Lowlands B.V. (PEL), Universitatea Dunarea de Jos din Galati (UGAL), Magellan Circle – European Affairs Consultancy Ltd (MAG), Circle Connecting EU S.R.L. (CIC), European Inland Waterway Transport Platform (IWT), Universiteit Gent (UGent)
ALICE members within the consortium
INLECOM, PNO, CIRCOE & VLTN
Related news
Advancing Port and Logistics Automation: ALICE Highlights EU project funded Innovations at Antwerp-Bruges Port Automation Summit
On 16 September 2025, ALICE participated in the first Port ...
The Rise of Automation in Logistics
Automation is reshaping European freight systems across roads, ports, terminals, ...
Key takeaways from workshop Autonomous Inland Waterway Vessels: Market Ready or Are There Still Links Missing?
The workshop "Autonomous Inland Waterway Vessels: Market Ready or Are There ...
Related events
[Workshop] Autonomous Inland Waterway Vessels: market ready or are there still links missing?
As Europe accelerates efforts towards zero-emission and digitally connected logistics ...
EU funding
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101138261. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.