SIS 5 Is seamless multimodality in European transport within reach?

28 April 2026

Special Interest Session, Enhancing transport and mobility beyond the road

Special Interest Session • SIS 5 • 14:00 > 15:00 • SIS 5 Is seamless multimodality in European transport within reach? • YILDIZ 1 Special Interest Session
Europe’s transport future lies in seamless multimodality. This Special Interest Session explores how Europe can unlock the full potential of maritime ITS, connecting maritime transport much more tightly with road and other land-based modes. Instead of treating ships and trucks as separate worlds, the session looks at end-to-end freight corridors – from deep-sea and short-sea services, via terminals and logistics hubs, to hinterland distribution. Digital technologies, common data standards and automation now make it possible to plan and execute door-to-door journeys as one coordinated system. Real-time information on sailing plans, truck slots, congestion and disruptions can be shared across actors so that vessels, vehicles and terminals adapt together. This reduces waiting times, empty runs and emissions, while improving reliability for cargo owners. Drawing on experiences from several EU projects, the session demonstrates how smarter coordination between sea and land transport is being tested in real corridors and what this implies for policy, regulation, and business models. Istanbul – a historic bridge between continents and trade routes – provides a natural backdrop for discussing how Europe can design similar “smart corridors” that cross borders and modes. The session is targeted at stakeholders and policymakers seeking a practical, system-level view on how to connect sea and land transport in a way that is cleaner, more resilient and economically attractive.

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