Research & Development Projects

NEXUS Digital Green Logistics (2022-2026)

Project to modernise port operations and related hinterland transportation, pushing state-of-the-art, centred around the Port of Sines in Portugal. In addition to assisting the Port of Ines in managing the project, Marlo is involved in the development of software solutions regarding optimising the relationships between port terminals and hauliers bring cargo to and from the port, eCMR capabilities, TMS for project cargo, and a multimodal transport radar.

NOVIMOVE - Novel inland waterway transport concepts for moving freight effectively
(2020-2024)

Providing technical and organisational improvements to the Rhine corridor between Rotterdam and Antwerp seaports and Basel. The aim is for a 30 per cent increase in freight transport by inland shipping across this route within ten years. Marlo’s role is related to increasing load factors of containers and vessels. 

Maro’s key efforts were related to cargo consolidation to make the best possible use of assets.

JUL - Portuguese Logistic Single Window
(2017-2021)

The Logistic Single Window (LSW) project, coordinated and delivered by the Association of Portuguese Ports (APP upgraded and extended the previous version of the national Port Community System (2nd generation) to the entire logistic network, covering land transport, dry ports and multimodal operations in general.

Spilless (2017-2019)

SpilLess implemented an innovative ‘laboratory’ (Blue Lab) to pilot new and viable solutions to tackle one of the most damaging sources of maritime pollution: oil spills. These solutions will be based on the production of native microbial consortia with bioremediation capacity, and the adaptation of unmanned and autonomous vehicles for the in-situ release of autochthonous microorganisms (bioaugmentation) and nutrients (biostimulation).

ENDURE - Enabling Long-Term Deployments of Underwater Robotic Platforms in REmote Oceanic Locations
(2015-2017)

ENDURE developed and demonstrated a cost-effective solution for recharging autonomous underwater vehicles used in remote oceanic areas including deep-sea deployments.

BLUECOM+ Connecting Humans and Systems at Remote Ocean Areas using Cost-effective Broadband Communications
(2015-2017)

The BLUECOM+ solution provided broadband Internet access in remote ocean areas through standard wireless access technologies, explored emerging wireless technologies as a basis to enable cost-effective, long-range wireless communications, and enabled a long-term communications infrastructure that extends broadband communications on land to remote ocean areas, both at surface and underwater.

e-Impact - Implementing the e-Freight Framework and e-Delivery Infrastructure
(2016-2019)

e-Impact implemented the e-Freight standard and e-Delivery infrastructure developed in EU-funded projects like e-Freight and iCargo in real operations along 3 corridors of the TEN-T Core Network: The Atlantic, Mediterranean and Baltic / Adriatic corridors.

The business cases in the project involved shippers, logistic services providers and authorities.

In addition to having the technical management of the project, Marlo was engaged in a business case involving the Port of Lisbon.

NOVIMAR - NOVel Iwt and MARitime transport concepts (2017-2010)

Project NOVIMAR introduced the waterborne version of “platooning”, the Vessel Train. This is in essence a number of unmanned Follower Ships with their own sailing/manoeuvring capabilities being temporarily led by a manned Leader Ship. Vessels will be able to join and leave such trains at places adjacent to their points of origin and destination at the seaside or inland.

Marlo’s key activity was related to developing how to compose and decompose Vessel Trains and how to ensure that all cargo In one vessel had the same discharge port.

SUNNY – Smart Unmanned aerial vehicle sensor Network for detection of border crossing and illegal entry (2014-2017)

The SUNNY project contributed to EUROSUR by defining a new tool for collecting real-time information in operational scenarios: 1) A two-tier intelligent heterogeneous UAV sensor network; 2) Novel sensors and on-board processing generation and 3) The exploitation and adaptation of emerging standard wireless technologies and architectures.
Marlo’s responsible for introducing the principles of privacy by design.

EcoHubs - Environmentally Coherent measures and interventions to debottleneck HUBS of the multimodal network favoured by seamless flow of goods (2012-2015)

ECOHUBS provided models and capabilities for cooperation and communication between green hubs’ stakeholders, in addition to establishing value-added services making co-modal networks attractive to use and, at the same time, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
Marlo contributed to project specifications, monitoring, and exploitation of results.

iCargo - Intelligent Cargo in Efficient and Sustainable Global Logistics Operations
(2011-2015)

The iCargo project was about advancing and extending the use of ICT to support new logistics services that: 1) synchronized vehicle movements and logistics operations across various modes and actors to lower CO2 emissions, 2) dynamic planning methods involving intelligent cargo, vehicle and infrastructure systems and 3) combining services, resources and information from different stakeholders, taking part in an open freight management ecosystem.
Marlo continued the work on a framework for information exchange and, together with DHL and 3M, developed the product for increasing load factors in trucks that eventually led to the establishment of the company MIXMOVE.

e-Freight - European e-Freight capabilities for Co-modal transport (2010-1013)

The e-Freight project facilitated the use of different transport modes on their own and in combination to obtain an optimal and sustainable utilisation of European freight transport resources. Key issues in the e-Freight project were: i) Defining a standard framework for freight information exchange covering all transport modes and all stakeholders in door-to-door logistic chains. ii) Providing an e-Freight platform supporting the design, development, deployment and maintenance of e-Freight Solutions. iii) Developing a single European transport document for all carriage of goods (waybill), irrespective of mode along with all the necessary legislative support. iv) Verifying concepts in a number of different business cases around Europe and beyond.
Marlo was responsible for activities related to a standard framework for information exchange, which eventually led to contributions to the ISO 19845 standard.

eMar - e-Maritime Strategic Framework and Simulation based Validation (2012-2014)

eMar facilitated extensive participation of the European maritime public, business and research community in a knowledge development process leading to the specification of the e-Maritime Strategic Framework. The emphasis was on multiple iterations across different stages and with different stakeholders: 1) A number of market surveys; 2) Stakeholder needs analysis; 3) Identification of implications for standardization and standardisation strategies 4) Measures to address legal and organisational inconsistencies at national and regional levels, human factors and change management issues; 5) Interfaces with SafeSeaNet, e-Freight and e-Customs, National Single Windows, Galileo and e-Navigation developments; Cost-benefit analysis for new business models relying on e-Maritime services.
Marlo was responsible for activities related to the interfacing of transport networks, dissemination and quality assurance.

CONTAIN - Container securiTy Advanced Information Networking (2011-2015)

CONTAIN specified and demonstrated a European Shipping Containers Surveillance system encompassing regulatory, policy and standardisation recommendations, new business models and advanced container security management capabilities. The CONTAIN system: 1) Supported transport security stakeholders in managing container security threats within logistic chains; 2) Provided a coherent set of ‘best of breed’, cost-effective and efficient technology options for container integrated sensor, communication and security hardware and software technologies; 3) Enabled ports and transport networks to establish cost-effective upgraded container security processes; 4) Facilitated the further development of European standards.
Marlo was involved in defining the containers surveillance framework, business cases and demonstrators, and dissemination, standardisation and exploitation planning.

SUPPORT - Security Upgrade for ports
(2010-2014)

SUPPORT aims to raise the current level of port security by integrating legacy port systems with new surveillance and information management systems. SUPPORT will provide the necessary and sufficient security level to satisfy evolving international regulations and standards while efficiently supporting the complexity of the real port environment. As part of this, SUPPORT will also facilitate efficient and, where required, real-time exchange of security related information within the supply chain and between ports and authorities.

Securitas is an active SUPPORT participant and business cases include the STENA terrminal in Gothenburg and the port of Piraeus in Greece. The Advisoty Committee for the projects have repesentatives from the port of Rotterdam and APM Terminals.

BESTFACT - Best Practice Factory for Freight Transport (2012-2016)

The objective of BESTFACT is to develop, disseminate and enhance the utilisation of best practices and innovations in freight logistics that contribute to meeting European transport policy objectives with regard to competitiveness and environmental impact.

BESTFACT produced practical best practice handbooks as well as research and policy recommendations addressing new and additional policy tools will be provided. Marlo contributed to these developments.

RETROFIT - RETROFIT ships with new technologies for improved overall environmental footprint
(2011-2015)

The RETROFIT project’s overall aim was to improve the environmental efficiency of waterborne transportation, specifically the environmental footprint of existing ships by combining available and newly developed technologies to be fitted into existing ship configurations.

Marlo contributed to modelling the effects of retrofitting altentives.

DiSCwise - Developing, Demonstrating and Deploying a Reference Architecture for Interoperability in the Transport and Logistics Sector (2010-2011)

The DiSCWISE project aimed at harmonising business processes and data exchange architectures and standards, at the European and international levels, within the transport and logistics sectors, facilitating the participation of SMEs in global digital supply chains. The project contributed to the reference architecture for interoperability, building on existing standardisation achievements following up Freightwise.
Marlo was engaged in the reference model development.

PROMIT – Promoting Innovative Intermodal Freight Transport (2006-2009)

PROMIT was a European Coordination Action (CA) for intermodal freight transport initiating, facilitating and supporting the coordination and cooperation of national and European initiatives, projects, promotion centres, technology providers, research institutes and user groups related to this most complex transport form.
Marlo’s responsibility was intermodal infrastructure and equipment.

FREIGHTWISE - Management Framework for Intelligent Intermodal Transport (2006-2009)

FREIGHTWISE was an integrated project within the EU's 6th Framework Programme that aims at bringing together three different sectors: 1) Transport Management: shippers, forwarders. operators and agents; 2) Traffic and Infrastructure Management: Rail, Road, Sea, Inland waterways; 3) Administration: Customs, Border Crossing, Hazardous Cargo, Safety and Security.

The FREIGHTWISE project developed the first version of a reference architecture for intermodal transport and the integration of relevant IT systems—including legacy systems—that was enhanced in other projects and eventually became part of the ISO 19845 standard.

Marlo was the technical manager in Freightwise.

FLAGSHIP – European Framework for Safe, Efficient and Environmentally-Friendly Ship Operations (2007-2010)

FLAGSHIP improved the safety, environmental friendliness and competitiveness of European maritime transport. The emphasis of the project was on on-board systems and procedures, ship management systems on shore, the impact of new technology on the present ship-, owner- and operator organisations, effective and efficient communication interfaces and the impact of standards and regulations.
Marlo was responsible for the subproject in Flagship on Technical operation strategy and logistics.

Logistics for LIFE - Logistics Industry Coalition for Long-term, ICT-based Freight Transport Efficiency (2010-2012)

Logistics for LIFE brought together leading logistic companies, technology providers and research organizations working on innovative ICT solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of the logistics industry by increasing its operational efficiency.
Marlo contributed with general knowledge of systems integration, interoperability and standards.

COMCIS - Collaborative Information Services for Container Management
(2011-2013)

COMCIS delivered a proof of concept of how individual existing e-Freight solutions resulting from previous EU projects (and commercial developments) can be integrated as a set of collaborative information services that is feasible (technically and economically) for commercial deployment.
Marlo’s role was related to integration standards and technologies

RISING - RIS Services for Improving the Integration of Inland Waterway Transports into Intermodal Chains
(2009 – 2012)

RISING investigated how river-related information collected and distributed by River Information Services (RIS) led to useful solutions and services supporting complete transport chains involving inland waterways transport.
Marlo was responsible for transferring Freightwise knowledge to RISING.

Create 3S – Innovative Concepts REalised by Advanced design & production to improve Total Efficiency of new generation Short Sea Shipping (2006-2009)

Create3S developed a new family of vessels for Short Sea Shipping. The vessels shall be designed to improve production and transport efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Marlo was responsible for cargo handling.

CALSIBA

https://www.calsiba.com/pt/
The CALSIBA project (Corredor Atlântico Logístico Sines-Badajoz) is a cross-border cooperation project, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), EP-INTERREG V A Spain-Portugal (POCTEP), which aims to improve interoperability in the logistics corridor between Sines-Badajoz.

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