WATERBRIDGING
WATERBRIDGING: Bridging
Maritime and Inland Waterways for a Sustainable Adriatic-Ionian Region
WATERBRIDGING is IPA ADRION
funded project dedicated to boosting the sustainability and seamless
integration of maritime and inland waterways (IWW) within the Adriatic-Ionian
(AI) region. By enhancing the Motorways of the Sea (MOS), the project aims to
establish efficient and smart alternatives to overstretched land transport
networks. This initiative directly addresses the indicative action to
"Enhance the development of the Motorways of the Seas (MoS) concept as an
alternative to overstretched land transport (...)."
WATERBRIDGING strengthens the
role of AI waterways as a vital bridge connecting territories within the
macro-region and beyond. This is achieved by upgrading the environmental and
digital performance of key maritime and IWW nodes. The project tackles common
challenges that currently hinder the creation of a truly seamless and
competitive waterborne transport system, a key objective of the EUSAIR
flagship. These challenges include disruptions in the logistics transport chain
and the limited adoption of environmental approaches.
Recognizing that the integration
of digital services based on real-time data collection is crucial for reducing
the fragmentation of logistics chains, WATERBRIDGING focuses on developing and
implementing such solutions. Simultaneously, the project addresses the common
challenge of decarbonizing transport by promoting the exploitation of
alternative fuels and Onshore Power Supply (OPS) technologies for greener
waterway transport.
To overcome these hurdles, the
project partnership is undertaking comprehensive traffic flow studies and
preparatory analyses. These feed into the development and implementation of
Pilot Actions based on two key pillars:
- Digital services for seamless integrated A-I MoS
and IWW: This pillar focuses on leveraging digital technologies to
improve the integration of IT systems and enhance the efficiency of
logistics operations across maritime and inland waterways.
- Sustainable practices for decarbonization of A-I
MOS and IWW: This pillar concentrates on piloting the deployment of
alternative fuels and OPS technologies to reduce the environmental
footprint of waterborne transport.
The tangible Outputs of
the WATERBRIDGING project include the co-design of 12 Pilot Actions
focused on the deployment of alternative fuels and OPS, as well as the
application of digital services to improve IT system integration. Furthermore,
the project will deliver 14 codeveloped solutions that will serve as a
strong leverage for concrete investments stemming from the pilot actions.
Looking beyond the project's
lifetime, the WATERBRIDGING partnership will establish the Adriatic-Ionian
MOS and IWW Network and adopt a transnational strategy and action plan.
This framework will ensure the continued pursuit of common sustainability and
seamless integration goals within the region.
Project partners:
Central Adriatic Ports Authority
IGOUMENITSA PORT AUTHORITY S.A
CENTRE FOR RESEARCH &
TECHNOLOGY HELLAS
Intermodal Transport Cluster
Port of Split Authority
University Ss. Cyril and
Methodius in Skopje, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – Skopje
Science and Technology Park Novi
Sad
Port of Bar JSC
Total project budget: 1,544,800.00
EUR
ERDF funds: 1,313,080.00 EUR