How Digital Technologies Can Support Sustainability of the Waterborne Passenger Mobility Ecosystem: A Case Study Analysis of Smart Circular Practices in Northern Europe

To tackle the significant increase in traffic congestion and pollution in urban areas, waterborne transport systems can offer a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative, decreasing traffic congestion on roads, noise, and pollution emissions, with reduced infrastructure requirements. Developing a sustainable waterborne passenger system requires a multidisciplinary approach and a systemic view, which involves various stakeholders and knowledge. Digital transition can encourage a better management of resources and enables systems integration promoting circular economy and ecosystem models, which create interrelations among systems. The aim of this study is to identify circular practices adopted in the waterborne passenger mobility (WPM) ecosystem driven by digital technologies. A holistic perspective which considers all the system of actors and their mutual interactions has been adopted. Five case studies have been selected in Northern Europe and analyzed by applying the Smart Circular WPM Ecosystem framework, previously developed by the authors. The analysis identifies a list of Smart Circular practices resulting from the application of digital technologies during specific lifecycle stages, involving certain actors’ categories, and enabling circular principles. The case studies analysis also highlighted unexplored or under-considered fields of action which can be the base for further research.