The PIONEERS and MAGPIE projects, supported by the European Union and implemented under the Horizon 2020 program, have achieved a tangible result after five years of work: presenting a green roadmap for European ports to the European Commission and free digital tools for all European ports.
Research and Experiments in Ports
These projects were initiated in line with the European Green Deal and spent five years exploring solutions for clean energy, alternative fuels, electrification, digitalization, and infrastructure in the actual operations of ports. PIONEERS, coordinated by the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, conducted 19 experiments in clean energy, digital innovation, and sustainable port design in collaboration with the ports of Barcelona, Venlo, and Constanta. On the other hand, MAGPIE, led by the Port of Rotterdam, tested 14 solutions in the same areas in collaboration with HAROPA PORT, Sines, and DeltaPort.
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Innovative Tools for Ports
The results of these two projects have been consolidated into tools that each port can utilize. The PIONEERS Green Roadmap Guide offers ports a free five-step method that includes assessing the current status of the port, a 2050 vision, external pressures, proven innovations, and a roadmap. Additionally, methodologies related to carbon and tests to identify key barriers to transition are also included in these tools. Meanwhile, MAGPIE's Green Innovation Compass is an open knowledge platform that gathers knowledge about innovative technologies, operational concepts, and digital solutions.
The CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Rob Smits, emphasized that five years of PIONEERS activity have shown that technologies and knowledge are available, and now the main challenge is scalability. He called for attention to the regulatory, financial, and organizational barriers associated with each innovation.
These projects also highlighted the need to accelerate the transition of innovations from the testing phase to practice and emphasized the importance of structural collaboration at the European level. By publicly releasing the roadmap and related tools, PIONEERS and MAGPIE have left a legacy that can assist European ports in transitioning towards greener and more resilient operations.
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