The HOLOGISTICS project successfully concluded its participation at the ITS European Congress 2026 in Istanbul. On April 28, 2026, the project took center stage during Special Interest Session (SIS 22), titled “Decarbonising inland & rail logistics with automation” marking a significant milestone for the project within one of Europe’s most prestigious smart mobility forums. 

Addressing key challenges in freight decarbonisation  

The session at the ITS European Congress 2026 brought together a high-level panel of policymakers, experts, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss the urgent transition to sustainable freight. While decarbonising transport remains a top priority for Europe’s climate strategy, the discussions highlighted how the session addressed the persistent “bottlenecks” of the industry: fragmented digitalisation, lack of system interoperability, and the financial hurdles of infrastructure modernisation. 

Automation and Digital Innovation as Key Enablers

Organised by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) and the Interuniversity Consortium for Operations Research (ICOOR), the workshop explored how data-driven optimisation and digital governance are transforming inland and rail logistics. 

Experts at the ITS European Congress demonstrated that by leveraging advanced frameworks, these transport modes are evolving into the resilient, low-emission backbone of modern supply chains. Key solutions discussed included: 

• Automated cargo handling systems to streamline operations. 

• Digital Twins for predictive logistics management. 

• Real-time monitoring tools designed to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Insights from HOLOGISTICS and European Research 

The session served as a premier platform for sharing results from European innovation projects, including HOLOGISTICS, IKIGAI, and Keystone. Attendees received first-hand updates on pilot activities and the cutting-edge developments currently shaping the future of European freight transport. 

One of the participants in the session was Professor Irina Jackiva (Yatskiv), Chairwoman of the Board of the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI) and a key HOLOGISTICS partner. Prof. Jackiva presented the project’s unique approach to sustainable logistics, emphasizing how collaborative innovation can turn theoretical climate goals into operational realities. 

A Dynamic Exchange: Audience Q&A 

Designed as an interactive workshop, the session fostered a good dialogue between speakers and attendees. The audience showed a keen interest in the practical application of the HOLOGISTICS model, raising critical questions that shaped the debate: 

• Scalability: How can automated logistics solutions be effectively scaled across diverse European corridors with varying infrastructure levels? 

• Data Governance: What are the most effective models for secure and seamless data exchange between different operators? 

• Real-world Impact: How can Digital Twins be utilized to provide real-time, accurate measurements of carbon footprint reductions during daily operations? 

A Lasting Impact in Istanbul 

This exchange of practical, real-world experiences proved invaluable for stakeholders looking to implement green technologies in their own regions. The success of SIS 22 reinforces HOLOGISTICS’ position at the forefront of the digital and ecological transition in European logistics, leaving a lasting impact on the legacy of the ITS European Congress 2026. 

Post-Event Summary

• Event: ITS European Congress 2026 

• Date: April 28, 2026, 10:30-11:30 

• Venue: Istanbul Congress Centre (ICC), Room HAMIDYE 

• Theme: Decarbonisation, Automation, and Rail/Inland Waterway Integration 

About HOLOGISTICS project

HOLOGISTICS is a European Union-funded research project that accelerates the transition to zero-emission, data-driven, and highly efficient freight transport. The project develops an open and scalable ecosystem for multimodal logistics, enabling seamless interoperability between vehicles, vessels, nodes, and digital platforms.

By integrating zero-emission transport units, advanced IoT interfaces, AI-enabled flow optimization, and collaborative resource-sharing models, HOLOGISTICS demonstrates practical pathways toward a new Physical Internet for Europe, reducing emissions and improving efficiency across European supply chains through real-world demonstrators.

Co-funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101202556 and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

Stay updated on our latest milestones by following Hologistics_EU on LinkedIn

Learn more: hologistics.eu
Related: Work Packages | Project Timeline | Latest News