Latest

A new step toward cleaner and smarter shipping between Rotterdam and Oslo

Published May 28th, 2026

What will work in the port and at sea look like as ships become increasingly cleaner, smarter, and partially remotely controlled?

That question is at the heart of the new Living Lab Green & Autonomous Corridor Rotterdam-Oslo project. The project officially launched on May 27, 2026, at the RDM campus of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences.

In the Living Lab, educational institutions, businesses, and government agencies are conducting practical research on new technologies in the shipping industry. Two hydrogen-powered ships from Samskip, known as SeaShuttles, serve as a key testing environment for this research. These container ships will begin sailing between Rotterdam and Oslo in 2027 and are equipped for autonomous operation.

Nearly 2 million euros from the Just Transition Fund

The project is receiving nearly €2 million in funding from the Just Transition Fund (JTF). This European fund helps regions such as Greater Rotterdam make the transition to a climate-neutral economy. The province of South Holland is implementing the JTF in Greater Rotterdam in collaboration with the municipality of Rotterdam.

During the kick-off meeting, Provincial Executive Member Arne Weverling symbolically presented the JTF check to the project partners. “The energy transition is changing not only our technology and systems, but also the nature of people’s work. With JTF, we are therefore investing in both innovation and skills. This project is a great example of how education, businesses, and government are working together to build a future-proof maritime sector.”

New skills for port jobs

A Remote Control Center will be established on the RDM campus. There, students, researchers, and companies will be able to experiment with remote energy management, maintenance, and navigation. This will generate new insights into the future of work: which tasks will remain on board, which tasks can be performed remotely, and what skills will employees need in the future?

Project partners

The project is led by Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Partners include STC, the City of Rotterdam, Samskip, CaptainAI, Smart Ship, Techbinder, ABB, Zeabuz, Seafar, MARIN, and Delft University of Technology. The project will run from 2026 through 2029.

What is the Just Transition Fund?

The Just Transition Fund is a European fund for regions whose employment and economies are heavily dependent on the fossil fuel industry. The fund helps these regions make a just transition to a climate-neutral economy. In Greater Rotterdam, this includes projects focused on sustainability, innovation, training, and job creation. The province of South Holland is implementing the fund in Greater Rotterdam in collaboration with the municipality of Rotterdam.

Want to learn more about the Living Lab Green & Autonomous Corridor Rotterdam-Oslo project? Visit the project page on the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences website(opens in a new window).