Hamburg pilot: Fraunhofer CML’s SeaDragon collects key data for DECARBOMILE insights

As part of the DECARBOMILE Project’s drive to explore sustainable and zero-emission delivery solutions on inland waterways, partners in Hamburg teamed up with the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics (CML) to carry out an important data collection pilot along the Elbe and Bille canal waterways.

Testing urban waterway logistics with SeaDragon

In November 2025, the SeaDragon, a research catamaran operated by Fraunhofer CML, took to Hamburg’s waterways to gather essential real-world measurements for both the DECARBOMILE and InnoWaTr urban logistics pilots. The vessel was equipped with sensors and advanced measurement tools to collect accurate performance data across key route segments.

This pilot formed part of the Freight Flow Coalition 3 efforts in Hamburg and represents a strong example of local cooperation contributing to European-level innovation.

What data was collected ?

During the measurement campaign, the project partners recorded a suite of operational and environmental metrics crucial for evaluating inland waterway deliveries:

• GPS position and timestamps for route tracking
• Duration of each route segment (including lock passages and waiting times)
• Qualitative observations of delays or disruptions
• Speed measurements
• Route distance and waterway conditions
• Water depth and current measurements
• Fuel consumption and equivalent energy values per segment

These data points are now being analysed to assess travel time reliability, energy use, operational feasibility and overall sustainability for urban inland waterway logistics.

Synergies between projects

The pilot demonstrates how DECARBOMILE and InnoWaTr, another European waterborne logistics initiative, can leverage shared expertise and data to accelerate innovation in low-emission last-mile delivery logistics. Both projects are investigating waterborne delivery use cases (with DECARBOMILE focused on parcel transport and InnoWaTr on retail/wholesale flows), making collaboration and data exchange particularly valuable.

Fraunhofer CML’s involvement with the SeaDragon also connects this work to broader research initiatives like the SeaClear2 project, further strengthening scientific and operational synergies.