Within the SCOBE project, a system-oriented transition in inland ports is promoted, aiming to use raw materials, residual flows, energy, and space more efficiently and sustainably. This transition is essential to make inland ports future-proof and to strengthen their role as hubs in the circular economy.
Circularity within SCOBE is not approached solely from a technical or ecological perspective, but as a network challenge in which governance, knowledge sharing, and practice-based research are central. The goal is to close loops within the port ecosystem, with collaboration between public, private, and knowledge institutions being essential. This collaboration focuses on removing legal, organizational, and other barriers that hinder sustainable development.
The project also aims to develop sustainable and transferable solutions for structural bottlenecks in (inland) ports, particularly within the Dutch-German border region. By combining practice-based research, joint testing environments, and knowledge sharing, concrete improvements are pursued in the functioning of cross-border processes.
The overarching goal of the project is to realize a system-oriented transition towards circularity in inland ports. This transition is shaped through cross-border cooperation and focuses on structurally improving the way raw materials, residual flows, energy, and space are utilized. The specific project objectives are:
Improving cross-border cooperation through network formation between public, private, and knowledge institutions. By building sustainable partnerships, knowledge exchange is strengthened and joint solutions are developed for circular and sustainable challenges in ports.
– Increasing the feasibility of circular and sustainable plans for various port and logistics systems. This involves experimenting with different types of ports and logistics processes to test and scale up circular applications in practice.
– Stimulating practice-based research and knowledge sharing, with active involvement of education. Students, researchers, and professionals work together on concrete issues, accelerating innovation and embedding knowledge sustainably in the region.
– Promoting sustainable solutions for legal, logistical, and organizational barriers in the border area. By identifying and addressing bottlenecks in these areas, the path is cleared for the structural implementation of circular practices.
As a valuable “by-product,” SCOBE offers a platform for ports to meet and exchange knowledge on alternative fuels such as hydrogen and electric shipping, and on sustainable port management, including dredged material, quay infrastructure maintenance, and organizational models that contribute to future-proof port development.
