SCOBE

Building smart, circular ports together

With SCOBE, we are building strong, circular and future-proof inland ports. By connecting innovation, collaboration and knowledge, we are laying the foundation for the ports of tomorrow.

Why SCOBE?

SCOBE (Start of Circular Development of Inland POrts and Better Economy) is a cross-border Interreg project in which Dutch and German ports, public authorities and knowledge institutions work together on future-proof inland ports.

Inland ports are hubs where goods flows, energy, raw materials and logistics processes come together, giving them a key role in the circular economy. To continue fulfilling that role, a broader systemic shift is needed: a smarter and more sustainable use of raw materials, residual flows, energy and space.

SCOBE accelerates this transition towards circular port ecosystems. The focus is not only on technology, but above all on collaboration, knowledge sharing and well-organised governance. By tackling bottlenecks together, we increase the economic and societal value of inland ports.

Working together

Circularity only works through collaboration. Within SCOBE, public organisations, businesses and knowledge institutions work closely together to close loops within the port ecosystem. Special attention is paid to the legal, organisational and logistical barriers that slow down sustainable development.

Thanks to the collaboration between Dutch and German partners, knowledge and experience are shared and strengthened. This creates new opportunities for innovation, economic growth and the sustainable development of port areas.

What do we want to achieve?

SCOBE is working towards:

Stronger cross-border collaboration between ports, public authorities, businesses and knowledge institutions.
More feasible circular solutions within diverse port and logistics systems.
Practice-oriented research and knowledge sharing, with active involvement from education, students and researchers.
Solutions to barriers — legal, logistical and organisational — that stand in the way of cross-border circular collaboration.

From research to practice

Through practice-oriented research, shared test environments and pilot projects, SCOBE develops and tests new solutions directly in practice. This produces concrete results that can also be applied in other ports and logistics networks. By actively involving educational and knowledge institutions, new knowledge remains anchored in the region even after the project ends.

Knowledge platform for sustainable ports

SCOBE also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange between ports and other stakeholders, covering topics such as:

Alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and electric shipping
Sustainable port management
Handling of dredged material
Maintenance and future-proof design of quay infrastructure
Innovative organisational models for sustainable port development

The role of Port of Zwolle

As lead partner, Port of Zwolle coordinates the project and brings together partners from the Netherlands and Germany. As the logistics gateway to the northeastern Netherlands, Port of Zwolle is committed to innovation and sustainability that contribute to a strong regional economy and a future-proof port network.

SCOBE builds on existing collaborations and opens up new avenues to accelerate the circular economy and sustainable logistics in the Dutch-German border region.

Projectpartners:

Associated Partners

Advisory board

NVB | BOB | Rijnland Instuut en Logistics

Project information

Project name: SCOBE – Start of Circular Development of Inland Ports and Better Economy
Duration: 1 February 2026 – 31 January 2029
Total project costs: € 2,285,990.80
Programme: Interreg Deutschland-Nederland
Lead partner: Port of Zwolle Coöperatie U.A.
Learn more about the project