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Path to AUTOFLEX

Path to AUTOFLEX

By: AUTOFLEX HEU Project
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Europe's roads and rail networks are reaching their limits. At the same time, our waterways remain largely unused. The AUTOFLEX project is changing that - developing autonomous, battery-electric vessels for inland waterways to create a smarter, greener alternative to road freight. AUTOFLEX is a Horizon Europe funded research project bringing together leading maritime, logistics and technology experts from across Europe to develop the next generation of inland waterway transport. In this podcast series, we go behind the scenes of the AUTOFLEX project. Together with experts and project partners,AUTOFLEX HEU Project
Episodes
  • Rethinking Inland Waterway Transport

    Rethinking Inland Waterway Transport
    Jun 15 2026

    Why are Europe's inland waterways so underused despite being right on our doorstep? In this first episode of Path to AUTOFLEX, Cyril Alias from DST and Kristoffer Kloch from DFDS take us on a fascinating journey through the unique challenges of inland waterway transport - from the physical constraints of river dimensions to the complexity of building truly integrated logistics systems.

    The conversation goes far beyond the vessel itself - exploring business models, investment risk, asset utilization, and the innovative Mobile Distribution Center concept that could revolutionize last-mile delivery along Europe's waterways.

    This episode covers:

    🔹 Part 1 - Waterway Constraints & Transport Systems (03:10)
    Why trucks dominate and what it really takes to shift cargo back to water

    🔹 Part 2 - Flexibility & De-Risking Investment (21:44)
    The case for smaller, more flexible vessels and smarter business models

    🔹 Part 3 - Last-Mile Delivery & Business Ecosystems (41:28)
    The Mobile Distribution Center and building a viable autonomous shipping ecosystem


    Guests:

    • Cyril Alias - Head of Logistics & Transportation, DST
    • Kristoffer Kloch - Maritime Innovation Expert, DFDS


    This podcast is produced as part of the AUTOFLEX project, funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme.

    Learn more: autoflex-vessel.eu


    Chapters:

    (00:00) Intro Music

    (00:11) Welcome to Path to AUTOFLEX

    (01:14) Rethinking Inland Waterway Transport

    (03:10) Part 1 - Waterway Constraints & Transport Systems

    (21:44) Part 2 - Flexibility & De-Risking Investment

    (41:28) Part 3 - Last-Mile Delivery & Business Ecosystems


    #AUTOFLEX #InlandWaterways #SustainableLogistics #AutonomousVessels #MaritimeInnovation #HorizonEurope #BlueEconomy #FreightTransport
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    1 hr and 4 mins
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