WATERBORNE TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM

Their core work

Waterborne TP is a European Technology Platform (ETP) — a Brussels-based industry association that sets the strategic research and innovation agenda for Europe's maritime and inland waterway transport sector. It coordinates roadmap development, mobilizes shipping industry engagement in EU-funded research, and bridges policy priorities (zero-emission shipping, digitalisation, modal shift) with concrete R&I programming. Their role is fundamentally about agenda-setting and community-building rather than performing research themselves.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Waterborne TP's H2020 participation spans only 2019–2021, so the evolution window is narrow. Their earliest project (STEERER, 2019) focused tightly on zero-emission strategies for maritime and inland shipping. By 2021, their scope broadened significantly with LASTING and PLATINA3 — expanding into digitalisation, automated navigation, synchromodality, clean energy hubs, and workforce skills. The trajectory shows a shift from a single decarbonisation focus toward a comprehensive modernisation agenda for the waterborne sector.

Moving from narrow decarbonisation advocacy toward orchestrating the full digital and green transition of European waterborne transport, including workforce and infrastructure dimensions.

How they like to work

Waterborne TP operates as both a coordinator and a partner, having led LASTING while contributing to STEERER and PLATINA3. With 22 unique partners across 9 countries from just 3 projects, they function as a network hub — connecting diverse actors across the waterborne transport ecosystem rather than working with a tight circle. This is consistent with their role as a technology platform: they convene rather than compete, making them a natural consortium partner for anyone entering the European waterborne transport space.

Despite only 3 projects, Waterborne TP has collaborated with 22 unique partners across 9 countries — a high partner-to-project ratio reflecting their role as a sector-wide convener. Their network spans multiple EU member states from their Brussels base.

What sets them apart

As an officially recognised European Technology Platform, Waterborne TP occupies a unique position between EU policymakers and the shipping/inland waterway industry. They don't conduct research or build technology — they shape what gets funded and who gets involved. For anyone seeking entry into the European waterborne transport R&I ecosystem, they are the sector's central coordinating body and a gateway to its network.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LASTING
  Their only coordinated project (EUR 134K), focused on broadening engagement in waterborne R&I — directly reflects their core mission as a technology platform.
• PLATINA3
  The most technically diverse project in their portfolio, covering automated navigation, digitalisation, clean energy hubs, and modal shift for inland waterways.
• STEERER
  Their earliest H2020 project, establishing their positioning in zero-emission waterborne transport strategy.