- MISSION, with TLIP and IOTA DLT, aims to significantly reduce maritime logistics inefficiencies, costs, and emissions.
- The project represents a major step towards sustainable maritime operations, aligning with global climate change and sustainable development goals.
In an ambitious endeavor to transform maritime logistics, the Trade and Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP) has been selected to participate in a groundbreaking project known as MISSION (MaritIme juSt in time optimiSatION).
This initiative, spearheaded by the University of Southern Denmark, is at the forefront of addressing the inefficiencies plaguing the maritime sector, primarily caused by its fragmented information technology (IT) landscape.
With a generous €7.5 million funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, MISSION sets its sights on developing a state-of-the-art digital communication and logistics platform over the next three and a half years.
A Leap Towards Sustainable Maritime Operations
The maritime industry, responsible for ferrying over 80% of the world’s trade, stands at a critical juncture. The MISSION project aims to mitigate the sector’s challenges by significantly reducing port traffic, cutting down associated operational costs, and, crucially, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
This initiative is not just about enhancing operational efficiency but is also aligned with the European Union’s broader objectives under the Horizon Europe programme, which dedicates a substantial €95.5 billion towards research and innovation with an eye on combating climate change and promoting sustainable development in line with the United Nations’ goals.
The Role of TLIP and IOTA DLT in Maritime Optimization
Central to the success of MISSION is the innovative use of the Trade and Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP), which leverages the IOTA distributed ledger technology (DLT).
Highlighting #globaltrade challenges for border agents:
💸 Delays in document receipt post-sea freight arrival, leading to hefty cost & time losses.
📉 Navigating multiple systems without real-time visibility poses revenue risks.
🕵️ Fraud risks demanding costly fixes.#TLIP pic.twitter.com/usMUK1BnxD— TradeMark Africa (@TradeMarkAfrica) February 19, 2024
This technology ensures that data shared across the maritime logistics chain is secure, auditable, and seamlessly integrated with existing systems through advanced APIs and data standards.
TLIP’s unique capability to interoperate is crucial for its integration into the European Blockchain Service Infrastructure (EBSI), thereby enhancing its data-sharing capabilities and setting a new benchmark for efficiency in maritime logistics. To explore more about this development, you can check out this YouTube video here.
Efficiency and Sustainability
The MISSION project’s ambition extends beyond the immediate goals of reducing emissions and optimizing port operations. It envisions a communication and logistics platform that can synchronize ship schedules to optimize planning and coordinate port operations, potentially leading to significant fuel savings of up to 23% for the entire voyage.
Furthermore, with a projected 20–30% improvement in navigational safety, MISSION targets a holistic enhancement of the maritime transport sector.
Looking ahead, MISSION plans to integrate AI-driven smart contracts with TLIP, which will further enhance responsiveness to exchanged data, including the issuance of alarms for non-compliance and delays.