• The Trade and Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP) unveils MISSION project to revolutionize maritime logistics by developing a digital communication and logistics platform.
• TLIP, utilizing IOTA’s distributed ledger technology, plays a crucial role in optimizing just-in-time port calls, addressing challenges at sea.

The Trade and Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP) has been selected as one of 30 organizations to participate in the MISSION (MaritIme juSt in time optimiSatION) project. Launched by the University of Southern Denmark and funded with €7.5 million from the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, MISSION aims to develop a digital communication and logistics platform over the next three and a half years. The project seeks to enhance the maritime sector by reducing port traffic, associated costs, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Maritime transport, responsible for over 80% of global trade, faces challenges stemming from fragmentation. The MISSION project addresses this by tackling the fragmented information technology (IT) landscape in the maritime sector. The goal is to streamline communication and provide real-time information to all stakeholders in the supply chain, mitigating delays and improving overall efficiency.

Part of the broader €95.5 billion Horizon Europe programme, MISSION aligns with the EU’s commitment to research and innovation aimed at addressing climate change and advancing sustainable development goals outlined by the United Nations. The project signifies a significant step towards creating a more integrated and efficient maritime logistics system on a global scale.

Optimising Maritime Transport Using IOTA DLT

The MISSION project, aimed at transforming maritime logistics, will develop a communication and logistics platform to synchronize ship schedules. This platform, designed to optimize planning, coordinate port operations, and orchestrate port traffic seamlessly, is expected to result in significant fuel savings of up to 23% for the entire voyage, accompanied by greenhouse gas emission reductions. MISSION also targets a 20–30% improvement in navigational safety.

Key to the success of MISSION is the Trade and Logistics Information Pipeline (TLIP), which leverages IOTA’s distributed ledger technology. TLIP ensures seamless integration with existing systems through APIs and state-of-the-art data standards. This guarantees the security and auditability of shared data within the dynamic landscape of port operations.

Moreover, TLIP’s inherent interoperability plays a crucial role in facilitating the smooth integration of the MISSION platform into the European Blockchain Service Infrastructure (EBSI), amplifying its data-sharing capabilities. The collaborative efforts of MISSION and TLIP signify a significant step forward in revolutionizing maritime logistics, promising improved efficiency, reduced emissions, and enhanced safety in the global maritime sector.

TLIP plays a crucial role in optimizing just-in-time port calls by enhancing planning and coordination of port operations, especially in addressing challenges related to ships at sea with limited bandwidth and unstable connections. It also serves as a vital component of the MISSION project, reshaping data sharing, promoting collaboration, and ushering port operations into a new era of innovation.

Looking forward, the MISSION project aims to integrate TLIP with AI-driven smart contracts, further improving responsiveness to exchanged data, including the issuance of alarms for non-compliance and delays.

The incorporation of TLIP into MISSION further exemplifies the IOTA Foundation’s dedication to advancing global supply chains through the industrial adoption of its technology