STICHTING PROJECTEN BINNENVAART

Their core work

SPB is a Dutch foundation dedicated to advancing inland waterway transport in Europe. They work on modernizing barge logistics, promoting zero-emission shipping on rivers and canals, and shaping EU policy for inland navigation. Their practical focus spans vessel innovation, port integration, digital navigation systems, and workforce development — acting as the sector's bridge between policy frameworks and on-the-water implementation.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

SPB started in 2015 with a broad focus on promoting innovation in inland waterways (Prominent) and developing new vessel concepts like the "vessel train" in NOVIMAR. From 2019 onward, their work sharpened toward zero-emission strategies, digital infrastructure (smart bridges, real-time river data, automated navigation), and EU-level policy coordination — culminating in their coordination of PLATINA3, the key platform for inland navigation policy implementation. The trajectory shows a clear shift from participating in technical R&D to leading strategic sector-wide transformation.

SPB is moving from technical vessel research toward sector-wide strategic coordination — future partners should expect them in policy-shaping, decarbonisation roadmapping, and digital navigation infrastructure roles.

How they like to work

SPB primarily operates as a participant (6 of 7 projects), but their coordination of PLATINA3 — the EU's flagship inland navigation platform — signals growing leadership ambition. With 111 unique partners across 16 countries, they maintain an exceptionally broad network for an organization of their size, suggesting they are a well-connected hub in the inland waterway sector rather than a niche specialist. Their consistent presence across both research (RIA) and policy (CSA) projects makes them a versatile consortium partner.

SPB has collaborated with 111 unique partners across 16 countries, making them one of the most connected organizations in the European inland waterway sector. Their network spans Western and Northern Europe's major river corridors, with strong ties to maritime research institutes, port authorities, and transport policy bodies.

What sets them apart

SPB occupies a rare niche as a foundation entirely focused on inland waterway transport — a mode that is critical to EU decarbonisation goals but underrepresented in the research landscape. Their coordination of PLATINA3 gives them direct influence on EU inland navigation policy, making them a gatekeeper for anyone wanting to enter this space. For consortium builders, SPB offers both deep sector knowledge and an established network that few other organizations in inland shipping can match.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PLATINA3
  Their only coordinator role — the EU's central platform for inland navigation action programme implementation, covering policy, digitalisation, clean energy, and workforce.
• NOVIMOVE
  Largest funding (EUR 566K) with rich technical scope: vessel trains, smart bridges, Galileo navigation, cross-docking — their most technically ambitious project.
• STEERER
  Explicitly focused on structuring the zero-emission transition for waterborne transport, positioning SPB at the heart of the sector's decarbonisation agenda.