Project overview
CLARION is a Horizon Europe project focused on enhancing the resilience, sustainability, and safety of European port infrastructure and connected hinterland transport networks.
The project addresses the growing risks posed by climate change and human-induced disruptions, which can severely impact port operations, logistics flows, and economic activity. By adopting a holistic approach, CLARION strengthens both port infrastructure and its connections to inland waterways and transport corridors.
Through innovative solutions and real-world demonstrations, CLARION supports ports in maintaining operational continuity, improving safety, and reducing environmental impact.
Objectives
CLARION aims to:
- Increase the resilience and operational availability of port and hinterland infrastructure
- Mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events and climate-related disruptions
- Enhance safety and security of port access and operations
- Reduce environmental impact across the infrastructure lifecycle
- Support modal shift towards zero- and low-emission transport systems
- Provide transferable solutions and guidelines for European ports
What the project does
CLARION develops and validates innovative solutions to strengthen port infrastructure resilience through:
- Advanced monitoring and predictive systems
- Climate-resilient materials and infrastructure design
- Digital tools such as Digital Twins and forecasting systems
- Nature-based solutions and circular approaches
- Integrated planning across port and hinterland networks
The project ensures a systemic approach by combining infrastructure, operations, and environmental considerations.
Pilot demonstrations
CLARION implements 10 pilot demonstrations across four major European ports and their connected hinterland networks:
- Port of Rotterdam
- Port of Antwerp-Bruges
- Port of Hamburg
- Port of Constanta
The pilots cover both port infrastructure and hinterland transport resilience, including:
- Smart and climate-resilient quay walls
- Corrosion monitoring and management systems
- Shore tension systems for terminals
- Flood impact control
- Reuse of dredged sediments
- Nature-based solutions for ports
- Hinterland transport resilience
- Digital Twins for extreme weather forecasting
- Federated learning for infrastructure monitoring
- Emergency management systems for extreme events
These demonstrations validate solutions in real operational environments and ensure their scalability and transferability.
Expected outcomes
CLARION will deliver:
- Improved infrastructure resilience
Demonstrating technologies that enhance integrity, longevity, and operational continuity during disruptions. - Modal shift towards sustainable transport
Contributing to at least a 20% increase in the use of zero- and low-emission transport systems. - Enhanced safety and security
Reducing risks and preventing accidents linked to climate-related disruptions. - Reduced environmental impact
Achieving at least a 20% reduction in environmental footprint across infrastructure lifecycle phases. - Guidelines and transferability
Providing recommendations and tools for replication in other European ports.
Consortium
CLARION brings together a multidisciplinary consortium of 20 partners, including ports, research organisations, technology providers, and industry stakeholders.
Key partners include:
- TU Delft
- Port of Rotterdam
- Port of Antwerp-Bruges
- Hamburg Port Authority
- Port of Constanta
- Acciona
- Antwerp Maritime Academy
- Brabo Group
- Contecht
- Deltares
- DFDS
- Fundación Valenciaport
- ICCS
- Inlecom
- InfraPlan Consulting
- Magellan Circle
- RDS
- RESDEV
- Sixense
- Tecnalia
 | This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement 101147041. |
