The future of Maritime Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) heralds a pivotal shift towards innovation and sustainability, blending cutting-edge technology with eco-friendly practices. This transformative approach aims to enhance efficiency, safety, and environmental stewardship in the maritime industry, steering it towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

To further explore this topic, the EU Tech Chamber (EUTECH) Mobility Alliance organised a webinar on 20th of February, 2024, where the topic under discussion was, “Future of Maritime ITS: Innovation and Sustainability”.

The webinar started off with an opening speech and a brief introduction to the Alliance by Ahad Zaka – Coordinator of the Mobility Alliance.
The speakers for the event were:
· Ørnulf Jan Rødseth, Director of ITS Norway
· Najmeh M., Advisor in Future Mobility Europe
· Trond Hovland, Managing Director at ITS Norway
· Florencio Gabriel Cuervo Prieto, MSc MBA., Expert in Future of Mobility and Decarbonisation
· Bernd Mattner, Chairman of the Mility Alliance and CEO Fry Bern

During the webinar, our panelists delved into the transformative role of Maritime Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in reshaping the maritime industry. They highlighted the integration of technologies such as driver information systems, traffic management, and the advent of Cooperative, Connected, and Automated Mobility (CCAM), emphasizing how these advancements are setting the stage for the rise of autonomous vehicles, including ships, within the sector. The conversation underscored ITS’s crucial role in streamlining transport management and fostering intermodal connectivity, which promises to enhance the efficiency and reliability of maritime operations and the seamless interaction between various transport modes.

The discussion also turned to Europe’s commitment to sustainability within the maritime domain, particularly focusing on initiatives aimed at reducing energy consumption and the pioneering adoption of autonomous ships. Our experts pointed out that the move towards ITS and autonomous technologies is key to achieving these sustainability targets, offering a future where maritime logistics are not only more precise and cost-effective but also significantly less impactful on the environment. This approach, they noted, is in line with Europe’s broader environmental strategies, demonstrating a concerted effort to ensure technological advancements in the maritime industry also contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
Moreover, special thanks to Ahad Zaka for distributing Tree-Certificates to the panelists.