The HOLOGISTICS project aims to accelerate emissions reductions in freight transport and improve operational efficiency and flexibility. The innovations created in the project will lay the foundation for the logistics of the future, known as the physical internet.
Objective
The HOLOGISTICS project seeks to make emissions-free supply chains more economically attractive and competitive. The project involves developing and demonstrating new, zero-emissions vehicles and AI-based route optimization. The main goal is to achieve a 55% reduction in emissions from the project network’s logistics by 2030. This objective directly supports the European Union’s 2030 climate goals.
The project will increase the flexibility and efficiency of logistics chains through new standardized transport units and other innovative solutions. Operational efficiency is expected to improve particularly in cargo handling when goods are transferred from one vehicle to another.
The project aims for physical and digital solutions to jointly form a new, collaborative and scalable logistics system called the physical internet.
Duration, Partners and Funding
- The project’s duration is 42 months: from 1 July 2025 to 31 December 2028.
- The project involves 24 project partners from 13 different countries. The project is coordinated by an Italian university, Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Unimore). The Finnish contribution to the project is represented by Forum Virium Helsinki Oy.
- The project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program. The granting agency is the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). The project’s total budget is 9,883,723.25 euros, of which Forum Virium Helsinki’s share is 293,750 euros.
Forum Virium Helsinki’s Role
Forum Virium Helsinki’s experience and expertise are utilized in project areas related to urban logistics and sustainable development. The project involves various logistics pilots in several countries, with the goal of developing new operating models to improve the efficiency of zero-emission transport modes (such as cargo bikes and electric cars) in urban areas. Forum Virium Helsinki will assess the scalability of these types of solutions for Helsinki, taking into account the challenges brought by our geographical location. A new simulation tool will be developed in the project to evaluate how new logistics solutions could benefit Helsinki and Tallinn by reducing traffic congestion, emissions, and noise pollution in urban areas.
Benefits for Helsinki
Within the project, Forum Virium will collaborate with project partner Tallink to design and optimize new zero-emission freight transport services between Tallinn and Helsinki. This includes, for example, exploring electrified ferry connections and combined ferry-train services that would utilize the Muuga and Vuosaari port route. Forum Virium is also involved in assessing how new innovations in the physical internet could benefit Helsinki and Tallinn by reducing emissions and congestion. This work directly supports the City of Helsinki’s sustainable development goals and provides concrete solutions to urban transport logistics challenges. By developing and testing zero-emission supply chains and smart logistics solutions for urban last-mile deliveries, the HOLOGISTICS project helps Helsinki reduce carbon dioxide emissions and streamline goods transport. The electrification of logistics will also impact the reduction of traffic noise pollution.
Responsibility
The project’s main goal is to reduce emissions in its networks by at least 55% by 2030. This will be achieved by developing and implementing low-emission transport vehicles and smart, new technology-based optimization solutions throughout the logistics chain, which directly supports the EU’s climate goals.
The project uses artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize routes and resources, but the ethical guidelines emphasize that AI systems will not make final decisions affecting humans or use sensitive personal data. AI development adheres to the principles of fairness and transparency, and it aims to balance innovation with ethical principles by ensuring that the technology serves society safely, fairly, and transparently.
Project Channels
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hologistics-eu/about/
Photo: Suvi-Tuuli Kankaanpää, Keksi Agency